 "Photo: Coleman Morefield")
A small portion of Texas Tech faculty turned in its red and black for yellow last weekend in Austin, but not in a cowardly way.
Robert Shindell, associate vice president in the Office of Admissions and his wife, Christina, a counselor in student disability services, participated in the annual LIVESTRONG Challenge - the signature fundraising event of Lance Armstrong - to raise money in support of cancer research and programs. Shindell and his wife raised $5,500 from friends across the nation for the benefit.
Robert Shindell first experienced cancer in 2003 with the death of his grandfather. A meeting with a coworker who recently was diagnosed with breast cancer inspired him to reflect her spirit through his actions.
"I just really saw how valiant she is in battling the disease and not letting it get her down," he said. "She always comes in with a big smile on her face, no matter how much pain she's in, and she's always helping out - that kind of took me back to that time, and I decided that I wanted to do this."
Marlene Hernandez, director of outreach and visitor services in the Office of Administrations, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, and was rehabilitating when Robert Shindell began work at Tech.
Shortly after his arrival, Shindell told Hernandez that he and his wife were competing in the LIVESTRONG Challenge for her. Hernandez said she never expected such openheartedness and kindliness from a coworker she had known only briefly.
"It just touched my heart so much, especially from a new collegue," Hernandez said. "I did not realize or know people could be so caring and giving. Rob is such a wonderful person. I'm so glad to know him and be part of his team."
After some brief training and preparation for the competition through the remaining months, Shindell and his wife made their way to Austin. Robert Shindell competed in both the 60-mile cycling and 5K jogging event while his wife ran in the 5K.
Robert Shindell said his experience leading up to the cycling event - waiting with the thousands of other participants - made a significant impression on him.
"I can remember standing there and looking forward and looking back and not being able to see anything but cyclists," he said. "It was amazing to see that many people all working toward the same goal - as I was standing there reflecting, I was thinking 'Wow, if this many people just in one place are fighting to find a cure for cancer, we have to be able to do it. We have to find a cure.'"
Robert Shindell was not the only one moved by the experience. He made a call to Hernandez during the race that made her a part of the event.
"He was in the middle of the race on Sunday and called me in Austin saying, 'I just wanted to see how you were feeling and let you know I was thinking about you,'" she said. "For him to include me on all of this as part of the reason for riding, I think it's wonderful."
The event in Austin raised $3.7 million dollars from 4,500 participants.
Christina Shindell, an Austin native, echoed her husband's experience with her run in the competition and said the cancer survivors in the race inspired her.
"Running behind those people gives you the energy to keep going," she said. "It was a good experience. It brought you back to why you were there - just running behind those people and seeing the signs on their back - (and) seeing the numbers of years they had survived cancer."
While Robert Shindell enjoyed the event, he was not satisfied being the only cyclist wearing a Tech jersey on the ride. He said he wants the turnout for next year's race to represent the Tech and Lubbock community.
"As far as we know, we were the only two people from Lubbock that went down and competed in both the 5K and the cycling," he said. "I would like to put together a team for next year of cyclists and runners to go down to Austin that weekend - a team of 20 people from the Tech community, from the Lubbock community - and raise $50,000 for cancer research. If we can raise $5,500, think of what 20 people can do."
Details for the next LIVESTRONG Challenge have not been released, but Robert Shindell will be active in recruiting. Details of the race and upcoming events can be found at www.livestrong.org/challenge.
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