Hopkins 4K for Cancer

May 29, 2005

Waynesboro, PA
It would be impossible to record the first day of our journey without telling you about the incredible weekend we all shared. For riders and families, Friday and Saturday were filled with meetings and preparations which culminated in a catered dinner at the Hope Lodge for residents, 4Kers, and families. Some highlights from the emotional and exciting evening included Bill’s speech on behalf of the Hope Lodge residents, which reminded us what a wonderful facility the Hope Lodge is, Karen’s loving sendoff speech to all the riders, and the moment it was clear that riders’ families understood the strength of the relationship between the 4K and the Hope Lodge. During our first pow-wow, riders thoughtfully discussed their expectations, hopes, fears, and personal tidbits to prepare us for two months of communal living, tough climbs, and stressful days.

This morning proved to me that there are so many wonderful people looking out for us in so many ways. The weather was absolutely perfect, the parents handled all kinds of last-minute issues, and the 4K alumni checked in on us frequently (and were, of course, impressed). And we riders shared excitement, anxiety, hope, and laughter as we prepared for our trip. Karen Seaberry from Hope Lodge and Todd from the ACS joined 4K founder Leah Blom in making sendoff speeches, and after lots of photos, hugs, and some tears, we headed out—not a single person awake on St. Paul St. doesn’t know that we are going to SAN FRANCISCO!!! Weijie and Franca lead a touching tire-dipping ceremony at the Inner Harbor, where today’s ride was dedicated to our friend and Hope Lodger, Belinda. Then we were off, cheered on by our parents, families, and loved ones.

Today we spotted lots of roadkill, fell over, took photos, walked up steep climbs, napped at lunch, laughed, cried, and got lots of drive-by love from the 4K alumni who drove the vans today. We were all grateful to reach the Otterbein Brethren Church to rest, meet some members of the congregation, and have a wonderful dinner before resting our exhausted minds and bodies. During dinner we heard two amazing cancer survivor stories: one about Ralph, a child diagnosed in the sixties whose family turned to Johns Hopkins at the last moment to help their dying son, who now is a healthy, successful member of the congregation here. The second story we heard was from Angie, an inspiring woman who is now entering her fourth successful year after a battle with a rare type of bone cancer that had attacked her entire body. Thank you so much for your stories and generosity—we will think of you often along the way.

In closing this reflection, I would like to share some of the thoughts I had running through my head as I rode along today. Part of the mission of the Hopkins 4K is to foster hope. Being with the “4K family” all weekend long did just that for me. It was so moving to see so many people come together for our cause, and to know exactly how many people are loving and looking out for us and wishing us well this summer. For reading this journal, for donating, for sending packages, coming to our sendoff, baking us cookies, honking on the roadside, taking photos, hugs, kisses, well wishes—for the hope you’ve given us all—thank you.

On to the Appalachians!!

--Nisha Agrawal-