Texas 4000 College Cyclists Visit the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Medical Center

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Texas 4000 Ozarks Route riders embarked on their summer ride – the longest annual charity bike ride in the world – stopping in New Orleans June 12-14 to visit the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Medical Center.

Texas 4000 for Cancer, made up of students from the University of Texas at Austin, cycle 4,000 miles annually to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer. Their recent visit to the Benson Cancer Center marked their seventh year visiting Ochsner since 2016, including their virtual ride in 2020.

During their time in New Orleans, the 24 riders presented a $10,000 donation for the Ochsner Hospital for Children Piggy Bank Fund, a pediatric oncology patient assistance fund first established by Hogs for the Cause. The Piggy Bank Fund supports patients and families during treatment by providing transportation, lodging, food and more. Riders met with adult and pediatric oncology physician leaders to learn more about cancer care, research, wellness, integrated medicine, and survivorship services offered through the Ochsner Cancer Institute. Additionally, riders learned about Ochsner’s Healthy State initiative of improving the overall health of Louisiana by 2030.

The cyclists departed from Austin, TX traveling along two different routes for a 70-day ride stopping in more than 120 locations throughout the United States and Canada and will conclude in Anchorage, AK. Some notable stops along the Ozarks route include Hot Springs, AR; Memphis, TN; Paducah, KY; St. Louis, MO; Chicago, IL; Green Bay, WI; Minneapolis, MN and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In preparation for the journey, students raise $4,500, ride 2,000 training miles and perform more than 50 hours of community service, all in support of cancer awareness. For more information about Texas 4000, visit 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 in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, St. Tammany Parish and in north Louisiana. In 2021, Ochsner served more than 32,000 adult and pediatric cancer patients.

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. The institute’s integrative oncology services program, when combined with traditional therapy, treat the whole patient, not just the cancer.

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

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About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is an integrated healthcare system with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Celebrating 80 years in 2022, it leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and heart transplants and pediatrics, among other areas. Ochsner is consistently named both the top hospital and top children’s hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. The not-for-profit organization is inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities. Its focus is on preventing diseases and providing patient-centered care that is accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner Health pioneers new treatments, deploys emerging technologies and performs groundbreaking research, including over 700 clinical studies. It has more than 34,000 employees and over 4,500 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties. It operates 40 hospitals and more than 300 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South; and its cutting-edge Connected Health digital medicine program is caring for patients beyond its walls. In 2021, Ochsner Health treated more than 1 million people from every state and 75 countries. As Louisiana’s top healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. To learn more, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.