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Melanie Hsieh

Melanie Hsieh / 2024 Team Fundraising

I am a 2024 rider for Texas 4000 For Cancer because I want to share hope, knowledge and charity.

  • $4,606

    Raised

  • $4,500

    Goal

  • 30

    Supporters

  • 86

    Days Remaining

Recent Transactions

  • Avatar person

    Anonymous

    $103.20 / 3 days ago

  • Avatar person

    Anonymous

    $86.69 / 7 days ago

  • Avatar person

    Anonymous

    $123.84 / 8 days ago

  • Avatar person

    Anonymous

    $50.31 / 8 days ago

    T4Koncert! let’s get you to Alaska :)

  • Avatar person

    Anonymous

    $100.62 / 8 days ago

    T4Koncert!

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    Shelley Vinyard

    $103.20 / 13 days ago

    Melanie—good luck in what will be a transformative journey for you! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to support your ride—I will be rooting for you from DC. I am donating in honor of my mom and a close friend in treatment right now, and in memory of Ed and Bruce. Shelley, Sierras ‘07

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    Janet Williams

    $516.00 / 14 days ago

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    Clayton Dalton

    $51.60 / 18 days ago

    Good luck, and have a wonderful journey!

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    Darlene Gou

    $51.60 / 19 days ago

    Good luck with your ride! Darlene, 2007 Sierra :)

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    Pamela Lauer

    $51.60 / 19 days ago

    Keep riding, keep educating, keep spreading hope because cancer keeps affecting us all. 💕 -Pam Lauer, 2008

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    Kacie M. Culotta

    $51.60 / 19 days ago

    Sending joy from 2008 Sierras Alumni Kacie & Daniel Culotta.

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    Cheryl Mindel

    $100.00 / 20 days ago

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    Libby Peterek

    $103.20 / 22 days ago

    Good luck on the ride, Melanie!

  • Avatar person

    Texas4000 Merch

    $29.25 / 32 days ago

  • Avatar person

    Anonymous

    $108.36 / 35 days ago

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    John Griswold

    $103.20 / 37 days ago

    Thanks for contacting me about your fundraising, Melanie. My family and I wish you the best of luck in your journey to Alaska. Our donation is in honor of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Patty Eltzroth Griswold.

  • Avatar person

    Anonymous

    $14.00 / 62 days ago

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    Maleni Arredondo

    $43.00 / 65 days ago

    hope :)

  • Avatar person

    Anonymous

    $103.20 / 67 days ago

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    William Tandy

    $50.00 / 71 days ago

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    MARTINA CLIFTON

    $25.80 / 78 days ago

    Happy to support your trip. Good luck Melanie. See you at the Atlas ride.

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    Tommy Neuman

    $103.20 / 89 days ago

    Best of luck to you during your journey, Melanie. I can guarantee you’ll still be talking about this and spreading the message 20 years later. Tommy Neuman, Sierra ‘04

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    Leah Masny

    $25.80 / 90 days ago

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    DANIEL NIELSON

    $51.60 / 94 days ago

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    Samuel Mead

    $25.80 / 96 days ago

About Melanie Hsieh

ABOUT

Zou san (good morning), I’m Melanie Hsieh! If you guessed it correctly, that phrase is in Cantonese! And yes, I grew up in Hong Kong and possibly dabble a bit in Feng shui.

Growing up, I always considered myself an average student cruising through school—never straight A’s, didn’t play any instruments, and was average in sports. Yet, this allowed me ample free time to explore, daydream and reflect. If I were to pick one word to encapsulate my first 20 years on Earth—it would be “changing”.

At UT, I am studying Physics, Government, and Core Texts and Ideas. My typical week often involves a dynamic interplay, deriving the “things” in the universe (light, space, time) and inquiring the “things” in humanity (state of nature, beauty, justice). To be honest, I have no idea what I'm going to do after college or what I will be in 2030. All I know now is I like to read, I like to write, I like to be perplexed, I like to hike, and I always like a long journey.

I hope after the 70 days I learn something new about myself and be able to share hope, knowledge and charity with others. I am very honored to be a part of the 2024 Texas 4000 team.

WHY I RIDE

Growing up in Hong Kong, my personality has been deeply shaped by my family, particularly my grandpa. He is the most optimistic person I've ever known and never fails to uplift me during tough times. Consequently, I prefer to project a cheerful and light-hearted image, to the extent that I avoid displaying any "negative" emotions like weeping, anger, or sadness, fearing that it might make me appear weak. This Chinese proverb, "Keep your broken arm inside your sleeve," perfectly encapsulates how I felt back then - the need to conceal my vulnerabilities and maintain a facade of strength. However, after my grandmother's passing due to Parkinson's Disease, a sense of emptiness settled within my heart, like a table precariously balanced on a single wobbly leg. I was resolute in my determination to cry only in private, sharing my grief with no one, not even my closest friends.

It was purely by chance that one day a close friend inquired about my grandmother's well-being. Uncontrollably, tears began to stream down my cheeks, and I couldn't stem the tide as memories of her face and smile came rushing back. It marked my first time shedding tears in public. Yet, I felt no shame; instead, I found solace in having someone by my side to listen without judgment. This memory of sharing pain and sorrow with someone else is the reason I ride - to lend an ear to others, to offer comfort through my presence. I aim to foster personal growth within myself while encouraging fellow riders to embrace a range of emotions, to learn to accept them, as they are an integral part of who we are.

Furthermore, I aspire to use myself as a conduit to bring hope back to Hong Kong. Witnessing many of my peers lose interest and motivation in life, I want to convey through my writing and documentary that there is so much more to discover in the world, especially in helping others and being less self-centered. Lastly, I ride in memory of my grandmother, who may not have battled cancer but faced Parkinson's disease with unwavering spirit. I also dedicate my rides to others who are constantly fighting against cancer.

To Alaska and back!