As the sun rose Sunday, Sept. 9, cars filled with cyclists swarmed onto campus for the third annual Tour de Pink bike tour.
The bike tour is part of the Pink Ribbons Project, a motion to raise money to help fight breast cancer. Tour de Pink has raised more than $1.5 million since 1995. The proceeds are used to acquire mammograms for women and to offer health and breast cancer education demonstrations to schools and businesses around the Houston area.
The event commenced with cyclists registering at the volunteer table to pay a $75 pledge fee and sign up to ride the 12, 23, 47, 63, 80, and 100-mile routes.
“I know people that have breast cancer and it could be me at anytime and plus this event helps keep me in shape,” said Kim Romans, 50.
Many cyclists were there to ride for the cause. Either they knew someone with breast cancer, were battling breast cancer themselves, or just supported the cause.
Lauren Waters, 16, expressed her sentiments. “I came to help support this event because breast cancer does run in my family. My aunt has it and my cousin has it, so I feel like I should be out here supporting because that could be me one day.”
Volunteers were also passionate about the event’s motive.
Jin Chung, a first time cyclist and representative of Methodist Hospital said, “My favorite part was all the support that was provided for this. It’s fun and it’s a really good cause. When you come out to an event like this everyone has the same interest. It’s a win-win situation.”
Pink is the official color of the breast cancer campaign, symbolizing healing and comfort.
However, one team had a set of pink balloons interspersed with green. When asked why they added green, the group said that green symbolizes growth, renewal, and new beginnings.