Ambassadors for 2026
10 years of Uniting Against Cancer!
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Alma Aguilar and Troy Reese
Kaylee Deutsch Armijo
Laura Niel
Mike Westphal
Connecting the Lobo Cancer Challenge community
All of our Ambassadors have demonstrated commitment and leadership in bringing their friends, family and community together to unite against cancer. They have a passion for helping others. Now, as a Lobo Cancer Challenge Ambassador, they can take their support for fellow New Mexicans in their cancer journey to another level; building relationships on behalf of the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing encouragement, and educating others on the importance of cancer research.
Alma Aguilar & Troy Reese
“We participate in the Lobo Cancer Challenge to honor loved ones affected by cancer and to support vital research and care services.”
Alma works at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, since 2016. She understands that the doors she walks into for work every day, has a very different meaning and purpose for our patients who come to the same building. She has been a part of the Lobo Cancer Challenge since the first year in 2017. She started by volunteering and was encouraged to get on a bike and participate. Alma took on the challenge and has been riding since. She asked her friend Troy to train and teach her how to ride a road bike. In 2019, Alma participated in her first 50 mile bike event, which was the Lobo Cancer Challenge. She became fast friends with other Challengers, including survivor and 2024 Ambassador Chaz Rowland. Troy also became more than a friend/trainer to Alma and they married June 8, 2024. Troy works at Sandia National Labs and was a motor cross competitor for years. These days he enjoys mountain biking, hiking, running and cycling. He is easing his way back into activity after knee surgery in July 2024. He and Alma love spending time together doing outdoor activities. He has become a huge supporter of the Lobo Cancer Challenge and they are excited to return as 2025 Ambassadors.
Troy and Alma are eager to participate in the Lobo Cancer Challenge with their deep personal connections to the cause and their desire to contribute meaningfully to cancer research and support services. Having witnessed loved ones battle cancer, Alma and Troy understand the profound emotional and physical toll it takes on patients and their families. By joining the Challenge, they aim to honor those affected by the disease and help raise critical funds that can lead to advancements in cancer treatments and patient care. Their participation is driven by a commitment to fostering hope, encouraging community involvement, and making a tangible difference in the fight against cancer.
They dedicate their challenge to everyone in their lives who have been affected by cancer, directly or indirectly.
Kaylee Deutsch-Armijo
I am thrilled to be a returning ambassador for the 2025 Lobo Cancer Challenge!
As a thyroid cancer survivor, I know first hand how important it is to have access to world class doctors, excellent care, clinical trials, and support — all of which can be found at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center! As a young adult cancer survivor, I have been involved in the cancer research community since my diagnosis in 2011. My illness drove me to pursue a career in oncology clinical research and I am proud to still work in the field today. Clinical trials play a key role in providing life saving treatment to cancer patients- and your donation helps bring further treatment options to New Mexico’s cancer patients.
I have been involved with the Cancer Challenge since its inception and I am excited to participate again this year! Not only is the event a blast, but its even better knowing that the funds are used to help patients and caregivers within our beautiful state! We are so lucky to have a such a wonderful facility within our community and this event ensures that that we surround patients with the best medical treatments, care, and support now and for years to come!
“I hope to see you on the bike path, race course, or stairs this year!”
Laura Niel
When my cycling team, the New Mexico Spokettes, found out about the inaugural Lobo Cancer Challenge in 2017, we knew we wanted to participate as we are passionate about cycling and fighting cancer. I volunteered to be a team captain then and have continued in that role ever since. I am also a team captain for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). Our medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. I am honored to be an Ambassador this year.
The Lobo Cancer Challenge is an opportunity to remember and honor our family and friends who are no longer with us due to cancer and to support our family and friends fighting cancer. My cycling team rides in memory of our teammate Kathy Thompson who passed away from cancer just before the 2019 Lobo Cancer Challenge. My work team participates for loved ones and with gratitude for our professionals. My loved ones include my mom who died from cancer 33 years ago and my twin brother who has stage 4 cancer. I am hopeful our efforts will fund research that will help him and everyone fighting cancer. I am so thankful for the great medical teams providing care and doing research at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. These efforts lead to more time with loved ones. The Lobo Cancer Challenge is a great time to celebrate them.
Cancer changes many lives. The Lobo Cancer Challenge is a way to fight back against cancer and support our community. One of my favorite quotes is the African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
Let's go together and make a difference.
Mike Westphal
Cancer seems to touch every one of us. Several people in my family and friend circles have had cancer, including my Aunt Carol who received excellent treatment for lung cancer at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC).
UNMCCC is our local home for the fight against cancer and is the “safety net” treatment facility as well. The wealthiest and the least wealthy New Mexicans receive world class treatment, side by side.
I'm proud to have ridden in all of the Lobo Cancer Challenges and I've made friends with many fellow participants along the way. The Lobo Cancer Challenge gives my friends, family and me a great combination of physical challenge, important fundraising tools and a lot of fun. Meeting some of the UNMCCC community of patients, doctors, researchers and other team members and supporters is an added benefit of the event.
“It's awesome to see how much the Lobo Cancer Challenge and the UNMCCC have grown and achieved.”
Statistics and information appearing on this page do not represent the official views of the Lobo Cancer Challenge.
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