Why in the world would I want to ride a bike over 4000 miles from Austin to Alaska? Thinking about even taking a road trip that far raises some eyebrows. Well, here’s the story:

Spring of my junior year,  I directed a play called Wit; which details the story of Vivian, an astute and perspicacious English professor and her lonely journey through battling ovarian cancer. The play is almost entirely a monologue directly interacting with the audience, and in my opinion details the sheer desperation and unimaginable pain cancer patients go through that is usually taboo to talk about. When I first read the show I cried, and I'm not an easy crier. I was immediately struck by this honesty that depicted a side of battling cancer I never thought about, mostly because I don’t know anybody who has or has had cancer. 

Or at least I thought I didn’t. 

You see after our opening night, a woman came up to me and gave me a huge hug, saying that this story meant a lot to her especially since her own daughter had battled cancer as a child. Her daughter was the lead. After her, many other people came up to me to tell me they also resonated with the loneliness exhibited by the lead character, because they had battled breast cancer, or their grandfather passed away due to melanoma, or they themselves had battled any number of cancers. For the first time, I realized how far-reaching and destructive this disease can be.

While I still don’t have a close friend or loved one who’s battled cancer and I recognize the privilege of being able to say that, helping to tell a story of cancer through theatre and listening to so many stories makes me never want someone to have to go through anything like that ever again, much less alone. I realized eradicating cancer and supporting those going through it so they don’t feel alone was something that was really important to me. When I heard about Texas 4000, it felt like a clear and tangible way to help make that happen. 

I ride especially for all the people who go through cancer alone, or who feel alone because they’ve lost someone due to cancer. While I don’t have a personal connection to cancer, COVID-19 really brought to my attention the number of people who go through crises alone. Being the person who represents those who don’t think anyone is there for them is important to me. If you, or someone you know, has had cancer impact their life, email me at graciehornung@gmail.com or text me at (832) 472-6873! I want to hear your stories because stories of strength like that will motivate me to do something that sounds virtually impossible: biking from Austin to Anchorage. During my time on Texas 4000, I want to inspire hope. Loneliness often breeds hopelessness, and I want to be the person who those who feel alone can turn to and see what can happen when you hold out just a little bit longer than what you think you’re capable of.