Sophomore Andrew Mohama knows the impact of cancer too well. That’s why this summer he will bike over 4,000 miles across the country to raise money, spread awareness and show support for those fighting cancer.

Starting in Baltimore and ending after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Mohama and 29 other cyclists from ages 18 to 25 will bike across the country in the 4K for Cancer for 70 days. His day will begin around 5 a.m. and end around 8 p.m. after biking 80 to 120 miles each day. At the end of the day, Mohama and the rest of the team will rest in churches, schools or people’s homes and continue on early the next day.

A daunting journey, yes, but Mohama believes he will find strength in the cause.

“It kind of took me a lot to actually sign up for this because I wasn’t sure if I could do it,” Mohama said. “It’s more than just a fun little trip. There’s a lot to it, but I think I can develop some more courage and ability to reflect about these type of situations.”

The 4K for Cancer was founded by the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, which is a non-profit organization that creates support for young adults and their loved ones who are fighting cancer. Mohama believes this organization provides a unique opportunity for people like him.

“It’s the age group where they’re kind of under-recognized in the cancer community,” Mohama said. “At this point in my life, as an able-bodied young adult, to dedicate a summer to it — I just thought it would be the right thing to do.”

But for Mohama, it’s more than the right thing to do. His particular inspiration for the trip came from his brother’s past participation, but mostly from the heavy impact of cancer in his life in the past few years. Three of Mohama’s grandparents were affected by cancer, his best friend fought leukemia as a child, and a family friend was recently diagnosed.

“The prevalence of cancer just really has hit me hard in the last couple years of my life,” Mohama said. “For the longest time, I — and a lot of people do — they struggle with just, like, ‘What can I do?’”

Sophomore Anne Lococo has been impacted by cancer as well. Lococo’s mother battled and defeated stage four breast cancer, and all of her grandparents passed away due to cancer. Cancer’s presence in her life has inspired her to pursue a career as an oncologist. For her, Mohama is not only a close friend, but an inspiration.

“I just don’t think a lot of people would have the guts to actually follow through with it, and I thought it was amazing,” Lococo said. “I think it’s a good example for people our age to be selfless, and to work for others and to dedicate your day.”

The team will spend 10 of the 70 days on the trip taking a break from biking and instead focusing on spreading awareness of their cause by talking to people in different communities across the country. In addition to raising awareness, Mohama said an important part of the ride is the dedication to those who have been impacted by cancer.

“I’m just kind of doing it as a dedication to those people, and just to let them know, ‘People are willing to fight for you because you were willing to fight for yourself and your family,’” Mohama said.

One way the riders show their support is by dedicating each day to someone impacted by cancer.

“Each day you dedicate to someone you know or someone who wants you to dedicate the ride for them, and you’ll write their name on the back of your calves,” Mohama said. “So, let’s say you’re going up a huge hill, you’ll look up and you see the names on the calves, and you just remind yourself why you’re riding.

Each team member must raise $4,500 in order to participate. The money goes toward direct patient care, personal mentors to help support cancer patients through their battle, and even scholarships for cancer patients who want to go to college after recovery but might not have the opportunity given their circumstances, Mohama said. The minimum wasn’t not good enough for Mohama, however. His goal is to raise $6,000.

Mohama hopes his journey across the country will impact people battling cancer and inspire those who aren’t battling cancer to get involved even by submitting names of people they would like him to dedicate his ride to.

He believes this trip will change his life personally.

“I just think it’ll be an unbelievable experience, you know, one thing that’ll just kind of shape the way I live for the rest of my life. As much as I have a passion for those people and care, this will just extend that even further,” Mohama said. “It’s a journey, not a race.”

Kassie Vivant can be reached at Viva0001@stthomas.edu.