In June of 2023, I along with a group of about sixty University of Texas at Austin riders will embark on the sixteenth annual Texas 4000 for Cancer, a 4,500-mile cycling journey across North America in hopes of inspiring communities throughout the country to join us in the fight against cancer. We will ride our bikes from the University of Texas at Austin to Anchorage, Alaska in 70 days, on the longest annual charity bike ride in the world, more than twice the distance of the Tour de France. Our goals are to inspire hope in the lives of those personally affected by cancer and action in the lives of others to help prevent the disease by sharing our stories and enthusiasm and raising funds for cancer-related charities.  

I’m riding in memory of Virginia Heim, whom many of you know.  As a young woman growing up on her family’s farm in Minnesota, she craved adventure and independence.  After she graduated college in the 1950s, she and  a friend drove alone to Alaska to  look for jobs, the first of many life adventures, including becoming a nurse, traveling the world with her husband Peter,  living with  her two young children on a sailboat, navigating from San Francisco to Panama to the Caribbean and later in life,  becoming my grandmother. Virginia, or GG to me, was a huge presence throughout my childhood, taking my sister , camping, sailing, and into San Francisco, pushing us to explore and supporting us with unconditional love. She instilled in me her love for nature, chocolate chip cookies, good books, creative writing, playing music, and adventure. She provided a model for me of an  independent working woman, a feminist, and a leader and she encouraged me to follow in her footsteps.
    GG passed away from cancer on March 11, 2020. Her loss was devastating but we were  comforted by coming together to remember the joy that Virginia had spread to everyone she knew.  Throughout GG’s sickness, she was fortunate to receive the treatment and care and support she needed, surrounded by a strong network of those who loved her. I want to dedicate my fundraising efforts or T4K to providing these resources to all patients battling cancer and their families.

Perhaps Virginia touched your life as she touched mine, or perhaps you have family members who have been affected by cancer.  With your support, we can make a difference in the fight against cancer. Any amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated—no donation is too small. You can learn more at texas4000.org, or contact me if you have any questions. I would love to hear about your connection to T4K's mission, and if there is anyone you would like me to ride for, please email me at madeleine.fink2000@gmail.com

Nearly 75 years ago Virginia Heim struck out for Alaska, the beginning of her life of adventure. I will ride to recreate GG’s pilgrimage to Alaska and honor her memory and adventurous spirit in the most powerful way I can imagine.