ST. CLOUD -- A group cyclists from Texas will come through St. Cloud this weekend on their way to Alaska as part of a cancer-fighting charity ride.

The 12th annual Texas 4000 brings about 70 students from the University of Texas at Austin over 4,000 miles to Anchorage, Alaska to raise money to fight cancer.

Each rider is required to raise a minimum of $4,500 -- $1 for each mile that they ride -- to donate to cancer research and the team has currently raised over $650,000.

"It's amazing," says Program Coordinator Emmy Laursen. "We're very proud of them, they are the #1 highest fundraising team we've had in the history of the Texas 4000."

Laursen was part of the group of cyclists who made the trip last summer and she did so while honoring her father, who died from liver cancer in 2012.

"It was life-changing," Laursen says. "It was a big healing experience for me -- being surrounded by teammates who were supportive and also grieving loved ones whom they lost to cancer."

"It really sets a standard for your life once you know you can push yourself to do something like that."

The cyclists are expected to come through town this Sunday on day 37 of their ride that is twice as long as the Tour de France.

If you want to see how you can get involved, Laursen says you can help by donating or sending care packages and words of encouragement on their website. You can also read the riders' blogs, check out other events, and see if you can host next year's riders.

 

 

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