Texas 4000 College Cyclists Return to Ochsner to Visit Cancer Patients

After a year-long hiatus due to COVID-19, 20 college cyclists from Texas 4000 for Cancer embarked on their summer ride – the longest annual charity bike ride in the world – returning to New Orleans in June to visit the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Medical Center. This marks the fifth time since 2016 team members have stopped in New Orleans to visit Ochsner. Their more than 4,000-mile annual bike ride raises awareness and funds to fight cancer.

While in New Orleans, Texas 4000 riders met with key adult and pediatric oncology physician leaders, gaining insight into the lifechanging work happening every day at the Benson Cancer Center. The riders also celebrated a patient’s milestone moment, lining the hallways with Ochsner staff for a social distanced clap out as Ochsner cancer patient and avid triathlete and cyclist Daniel Allemond was discharged following a successful bone marrow transplant after a six-year battle against leukemia.

New Orleans was the second major stop this year for Texas 4000’s Ozark route – one of four 70-day routes departing from Austin, TX. Traditionally the Ozark route departs from Austin, TX, crosses into Canada and concludes in Anchorage, AK. Due to COVID-19 border closings, this year the route will come full circle, ending in Austin, TX. In addition to New Orleans, the 2021 Ozark route will stop at a dozen other locations across the country, including Jackson, MS; Ozark National Forest, AR; Chicago, IL; Bighorn National Forest, WY; Yellowstone National Park, WY; Grand Canyon National Park, AZ and Albuquerque, NM.

To prepare for the 70-day bike ride, University of Texas at Austin students selected for this competitive program raise $4,500, ride 2,000 training miles with a team and perform more than 50 hours of community service. For more information about Texas 4000, visit www.texas4000.org.

Cancer Care at Ochsner

The Ochsner Cancer Institute has cared for patients from all 50 states and 28 countries at its comprehensive cancer centers located throughout the New Orleans region, St. Tammany Parish, Baton Rouge and North Louisiana. Annually, Ochsner serves more than 34,000 adult and pediatric cancer patients. Five-year cancer survival rates for those treated at Ochsner continue to exceed the national average not only for the four major cancer malignancies of breast, colon, lung and prostate, but also several other types, including melanoma, head and neck, pancreatic, ovarian and cervical cancers.

The Ochsner Cancer Institute delivers advanced technology and treatment options such as precision therapies, early tumor detection programs and the largest clinical trials network in Louisiana, so that patients do not have to leave the state for high-quality cancer care.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in 2020 shows a decline in cancer death rates during the 20-year period from 1999 to 2018, resulting in a 26 percent drop overall, highlighting the critical difference routine cancer screenings can make in overall outcomes. Simply put—early cancer detection can save lives. It is critical to not delay medical care and that includes routine cancer screenings. All Ochsner facilities have implemented rigorous safety protocols and are committed to keeping you healthy. It’s important to talk with a doctor about when and how often cancer screenings should be done. Ochsner’s goal is to conduct 141,000 total additional cancer screenings by 2022.

For more information about Ochsner’s award-winning cancer care or to make an appointment, please visit www.ochsner.org/cancer-care.

###

About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit committed to giving back to the communities it serves through preventative screenings, health and wellness resources and partnerships with innovative organizations that share our vision. Ochsner Health healed more than 900,000 people from across the globe in 2020, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner Health is a national leader, named both the top hospital and the top children’s hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. As Louisiana’s leading healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. Ochsner Health is innovating healthcare by investing in new technologies and research to make world-class care more accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner's team of more than 32,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the region. To learn more about Ochsner Health, please visit www.ochsner.org. To transform your health, please visit www.ochsner.org/healthyyou.