Eric Stinchcomb
Eric is a senior at Frostburg State University. In the summer of 2012 he is riding with a group of college students on a 70 day, 4000+ mile bike ride from Baltimore to Portland.
What is your connection with the cancer community?
Cancer is something that is very close to me and haunts me on a daily basis. Numerous people in my life have been affected by cancer including my mother, two aunts, and my grandfather. Some have lost their fight but others have fought hard to stay alive. My mom has survived breast cancer twice and has never been healthier. My aunt Cathy died in 2009 from lung and liver cancer. She was the one person who I would call my hero. My other aunt just recently passed away from breast cancer in December and although it was very hard for my family, I feel as though it somehow brought my entire family closer. My grandfather on my dad's side of the family died from lung cancer in 2006. After having so many family members die of cancer, a lot of people would feel defeated, but I am taking these experiences to further my strength in the cause to conquer this disease. On the positive side of the cancer community, I have participated in my colleges Relay for Life every single year since I was a freshman as well as participated and raised money for prostate cancer by helping raise awareness through growing out a mustache for the entire month of November of this year and last.
Why are you riding the 4K for Cancer?
Providing service and helping other people is what I want to live my entire life by. I don't care about any material items or how much money I will make as long as I can make a difference in people's lives. As long as I can make a difference in one person’s life, whatever I did to accomplish that was well worth it. I want to be out in the world helping as many people as I can from all different backgrounds. Aside from helping other people, I want to take this ride for myself, and push myself harder than ever to make sure I am not taking anything for granted. Since cancer affects my family so much I want to be a representative for my family that nothing will hold us back. I am riding this 4k to inspire people to keep fighting no matter how hard it gets. The thought that so many other people have it worse than I do is what will help push me to the finish line.
