About: Hello, I’m Ian! First, I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for being here with me on my page today, and for taking the time to allow me to share with you my story. Who I am, why I ride, and the unexpected journey that led me to The University of Texas and Texas 4000.

Currently, I am in my third year at UT, and I am majoring in Health & Society, with a minor in French. I am an only child, to two wonderful parents, Bill and Laura Denning. I was born in Dumaguete, Philippines and I lived there for the first three years of my life. For the majority of my childhood, we lived in Houston, Texas. However, whether it was for my parents career or my pursuit of Ice Hockey, I have been fortunate enough to live all over the United States and Canada. From Maine, Colorado Springs, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Manitoba, all these places have shaped me into the person that I am today.

Outside of school, I work in the Emergency Room at St. David’s under the amazingly talented and committed nurses, and physicians. I am also serving in the U.S. Army Reserve/National Guard component, as a Combat Medic (68W). Outside of all of this I love finding time for hobbies like yoga, running, reading, and spending time with the people closest to me. Cooking, however, has become my most intense hobby as of late. My roommate and best friend since high school (his name is also Ian), he is a pastry chef at Uchi! Since living with him, both of us have taken a head first deep dive into the world of (at home) gastronomy. Whether it’s sweet or savoury, the only thing I love more than making good food, is to share that food with good company!

Before I talk about why I ride, if you would like to reach out to me, please do not hesitate! Whether it is about yourself or anyone you would want me to ride for, I would be grateful for the chance to learn more about your story or theirs. You can reach out to me at ian.denning@utexas.edu or (832) 283-9486.

WHY I RIDE

This whole thing was an accident. I never planned or ever thought once that I would be a student at this university, or become a part of an organization of this magnitude.

After high school, I spent two years playing Junior Ice Hockey in Canada and New York. It was one of the most life changing experiences I’ve ever had. However the catalyst, which planted a seed of “change” in me, was playing for the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
Waywayseecappo is a First Nations reservation in rural, southwestern Manitoba. Living there was a cultural shock that changed me forever. Before this, I never thought about anyone else's problems outside of my own. What changed was when I saw first-hand the result of the Canadian government's relationship and treatment of the indigenous people. Their concerns were ignored, their rights violated, and how the community was left in crushing poverty. The community welcomed the players with open arms, and I soon fell in love with them, and their way of life. As a 19 year old kid, I wanted to do something to help my new friends, but I felt powerless, and I thought at the time all I could do was bear witness. After hockey was over for me, the seed that was previously planted began to take root; as it was inspired and watered by the field of humanitarianism, specifically the work done by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), through the book, An Imperfect Offering by James Orbinski.

Through Waywayseecappo, MSF, my experiences in the Army and in the Emergency Department, I have become close to the suffering of others, and the place that it holds within our collective human experience. Despite that, diagnosis and consequences of Cancer is something that is foreign to me. The plight of the people of Waywayseecappo, the trauma experienced by Dr. Orbinski’s patients, the tragic fallout of the U.S. leaving Afghanistan, to the inequality expressed by our patients at St. David’s, are all things that have brought me closer to suffering. I wanted to bring myself closer cancer, and I was drawn to the idea of being part of an organization and community that helps push the needle ever closer to a cure.

Most importantly, whenever I think of what my time is going to look like here with Texas 4000 and beyond, my mind goes to the name “Ben Stelter”.

If you’re a hockey fan you may have already heard of his story. Ben was a little boy who at the age of five was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma. Both Ben and his family went through a lot to try and halt the progression of his disease. Chemotherapy, surgery, and more, but ultimately it was a very difficult type of cancer to cure.

While childhood cancer is relatively rare, it’s nowhere near rare enough. I did not personally know Ben, but I knew of him, because he was an Edmonton Oilers super fan. If you are unfamiliar, the Oilers are an NHL team out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. One meeting was all it took for the team to fully embrace Ben. From skating with the team at practices, to being out there on the ice with them before a game in front of 20,000 plus fans, to celebrating big time wins in the locker with the guys, to even getting his hockey card made up; but was one of the boys.

It was just so nice to see this little boy, going through something almost beyond comprehension, having this amazing experience. The Oilers were also doing a lot to simply help Ben and his family out, which was an amazing act of selflessness, proving that hockey is more than just a game.

Every time I saw Ben, I thought of my little sister and little brother, Finn and Sophie. How they were once 5 years old. Ben’s life and the impact he made on the world is undeniable. I didn’t know Ben, but I was one of I think a lot of people who were touched by his story.

But Ben’s story is a rare one. In that we got to meet him and we got to learn about him. So many families lose these kids and we never get to meet them, and we will never get the chance to help them. The people of Waywayseecappo have lost so much, Dr. Orbinski’s patients never got the spotlight and help they so desperately needed, on this 2024 Texas 4000 Team, we have teammates who have suffered and lost so much.

I ride for Ben and for everyone that he stands for. For all those who suffer and for all those who have been left behind.

The number 22 Oilers Jersey will forever belong to Ben. If you are ever in Edmonton and go to the team store at Rogers Place, you will see a number 22 Stelter jersey sandwich between a Draisaitl and McDavid jersey. Proceeds of those jersey sales will go to the Ben Stelter Fund. An incredible foundation aimed at helping children fight Glioblastoma and other cancers. With their 4 Pillars centred around, "Magical Experiences, Medical Equipment, Outcome Based Research, and Venture Philanthropy".

You can learn more about Ben and the mission of the foundation here: https://benstelterfund.com/

Play La Bamba, Baby – To Alaska and Back,
Ian