Chris Bolesta

Chris is a senior at McDaniel College studying History. In the summer of 2011 he is riding with a group of college students on a 70 day, 4000 mile bike ride from Baltimore to San Francisco. Money raised by our riders goes to support 4K for Cancer's mission of spreading awareness, fostering hope and uniting communities across the county in the fight against cancer. We do this through cancer education programs, health screenings and by visiting cancer patients at hospitals, cancer centers and hospices each day during the ride. 4K also gives financial support to local, cancer centric non-profits in the communities we bike through.

I have been an avid cyclist, explorer, and traveler for the greater part of my life. I've always been very enthralled by the world around me, and I know that I've been provided with the opportunity and ability to explore and enjoy every little part of it for as long as I can. I aim to accomplish as much as possible in the short amount of time I am allotted with.

Unfortunately, sometimes things prevent us from our goals and aspirations. About 5 years ago, my uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic and cerebral cancer. He had lived a long and celebrated life as a father, a grandfather, and a decorated veteran of the Baltimore City Police Force. But as his condition progressed and eventually developed into bone cancer, it overcame him and he passed away earlier this year. Although he had lived for several decades, his time was still cut short and many more years of experiences were taken from him.

In the summer of 2011, I will bike cross-country from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco, CA. I ride to honor my uncle's memory, I ride to celebrate my friends that have been fortunate enough to survive their fights against cancer, and I ride to give strength to my friends and their loved ones who are still battling against cancer.

I know my journey will be long and arduous, and will present countless challenges for me to overcome: fatigue, stress, exhaustion, anger, fear, etc. I will draw strength from those that experience hardships like these every day to achieve my goals and contribute in whatever way I can to the fight against cancer.

With the help and support of my friends, family, team mates, and fraternity (Phi Kappa Sigma; our national philanthropy is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America), I know I will be able to persevere and complete my journey. I hope that you will contribute anything that you can to this cause, as every single dollar counts. Thank you.