Christine Hintze
Christine is a sophomore at Skidmore College. In the summer of 2012 she is riding with a group of college students on a 70 day, 4000+ mile bike ride from Baltimore to San Francisco.
What is your connection with the cancer community?
Growing up, my parents refused to leave me with a babysitter. Instead, whenever my parents were at work, I was left in the care of my grandmother. My other grandparents were lost to cancer before I was born, so my grandma played a pivotal role in my upbringing. She gave me the attention only a grandmother can give a granddaughter. We baked together, played board games, went for walks, golfed, gardened; my grandma was able to fit in all the activities my parents could not. During our time spent together, we formed a relationship that I do not have with anyone else. I was and still am able to talk to my grandma and confide in her in a way I cannot with anyone else. When I was twelve years old, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I refused to believe that anything could ever happen to her, but when she had a mastectomy, the cancer became very real. Luckily, the procedure put the cancer in remission, yet the threat of cancer is never completely gone. My grandma is inspiring to me as she has pushed on and remains extremely healthy at 93 years old! She is enjoying life to its fullest and instills the value of not taking life and health for granted (among many other values). Growing up, I spent summers at the beach in eastern Long Island. My fondest childhood memories take place at the beach with my entire family and our close family friends who live there. One of our closest family friends who I have grown up with, has acted as my second mother. We have had a connection since I can remember, and she has played a pivotal role in who I am today. I came to understand that she suffered from cancer for many years before I was alive. She has gone on with her life impeccably. After going through such a traumatic experience, she makes sure everyone around her is happy and healthy. She emphasizes how important family and friends are- how the important people in her life have helped her through the years. Therefore, we have long family dinners with the healthiest, farm fresh food, and many hours of laughing and telling stories around the table. She has made me realize how important family and the connections you have with others are; how important it is to sit back and enjoy each other's company.
Why are you riding the 4K for Cancer?
Seeing cancer through the eyes of the individual's who have most affected you in life, makes it a cause worth fighting for for all the other individual's who have similar connections. Being a part of the 4K team is important to me to make people realize the close ties we have with each other as all being a part of the cancer community. Spreading hope and awareness, pedaling one mile at a time- I hope to bring people together in this fight, so they have the important connections I will ride for all who have been lost in the fight of cancer, and to those who have suffered to the pain of cancer- friends, family, and strangers. I will ride as a testament for the hope to those who have survived and to the spreading of awareness- one mile at a time.
