Paige Hackenberger, a sophomore at the University of Michigan, plans to bike 100 miles to raise money for cancer research.
Hackenberger is a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 9 years old, according to USA Today. She will participate in the Big Mac Shoreline Scenic Bike Tour on June 4th in Mackinaw City, Mich., as a part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team in Training. The program raises money for the organization's research.
“Being in college, it’s definitely difficult to maintain a lot of hands-on involvement with LLS,” says Hackenberger, who will ride alongside 44 other cyclists. “It’s really nice to be able to get back into it and have a presence in it even on the participant side and not the strictly inspirational side. There’s so much to learn from all of the other participants.”
Over the past 10 years, Hackenberger has helped raise more than $400,000 for LLS. However, this will be her first time particicpating in the cycling event instead of cheering from the sidelines.
“Last year … I got to meet so many people with incredible stories,” she says. “One of the coolest opportunities I’ve had is just seeing what drives people in the same direction I’m driven for this cause.”