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Contact:
Jamille Ruebsahm, Executive Director
Office: 512.329.1908
Mobile: 214.207.1040
jamille@texas4000.org2012 LIVESTRONG TEXAS 4000 ROLLS INTO COLORADO SPRINGS
AS PART OF 4,000 MILE CYCLING TREK
UT Austin Students on 70-Day Ride to Raise Dollars and Fight Cancer AUSTIN, TEXAS (June 8, 2012) — The longest annual charity bicycle ride in the world, the LIVESTRONG Texas 4000 team, will be rolling through Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 16, 2012, 15 days after departing from Austin, Texas on to their final destination of Anchorage, Alaska. This is the ninth annual ride. While in Colorado Springs, the 2012 LIVESTRONG Texas 4000 Team will celebrate and share Hope, Knowledge and Charity with friends and family before continuing on their 70-day journey. Riders brave rain, sleet, wind, snow, and heat in support of the fight against cancer and will pedal more than 4,500 miles. Along their journey, riders visit with cancer survivors, patients and family members to educate people about cancer prevention and early detection, visit with cancer patients and raise funds for cancer research. They also use this time to offer hope, encouragement and share their personal stories to cancer fighters of all ages. “Texas 4000 is tremendously demanding, both physically and emotionally, but each day these amazing students pedal on,” said Texas 4000 Executive Director, Jamille Ruebsahm. “It’s incredibly encouraging for the riders to be supported by the people of Colorado Springs, and have the opportunity to share their stories about how they pursue this ride in hopes of living in a cancer-free society.”Forty-two student riders began their journey in Austin with a 70-mile community bike ride called ATLAS. From there, the riders headed north, separating into two routes: Rockies and Sierra as they continue on a ride twice as long as the Tour de France.
-More-“As most college students are enjoying their relaxing summer vacations, this group of students have chosen a 4,500-mile path less traveled, and they’re doing it on a bike,” said Jimmy Schatte, Texas 4000 Board Chairman. “The dedication and sacrifice shown by these young people is a testament to their desire to end cancer and their drive to make a difference.” Texas 4000 started eight years ago when, Chris Condit, a University of Texas Student and cancer survivor, sought a way to share a message of hope, knowledge and charity to those with cancer. Since its inception Texas 4000 has contributed more than $3 million to the fight against cancer and 400 riders have ridden their bicycles more than 2.2 million miles to honor those fighting cancer. After reaching their final destination in Anchorage, the Texas 4000 riders are honored at the Tribute Gala, held Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Downtown Four Seasons Hotel. Follow the riders on their journey across the United States or make a donation by visiting our website at http://texas4000.org/ and reading the riders blogs, following our rider’s Tweets at: http://texas4000.tweetriver.com/ and on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/texas4000About Texas 4000 For Cancer:
Texas 4000 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and fighting cancer. Each year a team of dedicated University of Texas students brave the elements to complete a more than 4,000-mile bike ride from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska sharing Hope, Knowledge and Charity along the way. As their flagship event of the year, the LIVESTRONG Texas 4000 ride is the longest annual charity event bike ride in the world. Texas 4000 riders train, fundraise and develop as leaders and servants in the community and to date have contributed more than $2.5 million to the fight against cancer. Cultivating the leaders of tomorrow, Texas 4000 organizes and performs numerous charity events including the Texas 4000 Tribute gala and the ATLAS Ride send-off throughout the year. To learn how you can join the cancer-fighting journey, visit: www.texas4000.org. ###