Ganesh Swaminathan
Ganesh is studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. 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.
Every year, close to half a million people in the United States lose their lives to cancer. Fortunately, the numbers are not increasing, but they definitely could be much lower. Therefore, this coming summer, I will be biking 4000 miles across the country from Baltimore to San Francisco in a bid to increase cancer awareness and to contribute to the financial aid of local cancer communities.
My first relation to cancer was not a very direct one. I remember watching Lance Armstrong cycling his way to multiple Tour de France wins after surviving testicular cancer. I admired his courage and strong-will to push through after an unfortunate experience. Most of all, I was inspired by how he wanted to use his experience to increase an awareness for cancer and support cancer communities whenever possible. For the first time, I saw two of my greatest passions come together: cycling and serving the community.
Some time later, I found myself dealing with a more personal relation to cancer. Four years back, my uncle lost his battle to pancreatic cancer. Admittedly when I last saw him, I was not old enough to form fond memories of him. However, as I moved to college in the States, I found myself spending more time with the family he left behind: my aunt and two cousins. I started to feel first hand the pain of losing a loved one. I got reminded that despite all the efforts for cancer communities, cancer is still a prevalent illness and that not every individual had a Lance Armstrong ending.
Being involved in cancer research made me understand the hard work that goes behind finding a cure for cancer; I realized the process was not a short or easy one. Until then, the most each of us could do was to continue increasing an awareness for cancer and to support those affected along the way. Thus, when I saw the opportunity to bike across the United States in support of cancer and for the financial aid of local cancer communities, I could not pass it up. This ride is a culmination of a childhood inspiration and a dose of reality. Please consider supporting me on my endeavor. Any amount of donation, big or small, will go a long way in aiding many in their fight against cancer. Your support will be greatly appreciated by me and the many others who will benefit from it.
Thank you very much!
Ganesh Swaminathan
