A medical student bicycled across the United States on a mission to help end colorectal cancer, inspired by his grandfather’s own ongoing battle with the disease.

On May 7, John-Hewlett “JH” West inflated his two tires and hit the pavement on a coast-to-coast bike ride from Oregon to North Carolina. It’s a more than 4,000-mile journey through parts of 12 states, mostly along a route known as the Trans-America Trail.

His ride ended July 5, at Wrightsville Beach, near his hometown of Wilmington. He dipped his wheels in the Atlantic Ocean just in time to begin classes for his second year of medical school at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Charlotte, where he’s training to become a physician.

He rode to support End Colon Cancer Coast to Coast, a movement dedicated to ending colorectal cancer. Every dollar raised fuels prevention, patient support and lifesaving research through the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

The idea shifted into high gear when JH was looking for a meaningful way to spend his summer, and he saw this adventure as the perfect fit to grow and challenge himself, while also grabbing the chance to see the country and meet people from all over.

“As I was planning, I wanted to involve a purpose that was bigger than me and that’s where the inspiration came from to raise money and awareness for colon cancer and support for my grandad,” JH says. “My grandad has faced diagnoses of colon and brain cancer over the past few years with the same grace, courage and humility with which he has carried himself all his life. I am also inspired by my grandmother, who has been with him every step of the way.”

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From right to left, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte MD students, John-Hewlett “JH” West, Jerry Wang and Sebastian "Sebbie" Scrivner prepare for their cross-country bike ride. Here, they pose at Freedom Park in Charlotte during a practice ride.
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From left to right, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte MD students, John-Hewlett “JH” West and Sebastian "Sebbie" Scrivner ride into Montana.
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From left to right, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte MD students, John-Hewlett “JH” West and Jerry Wang meet up to ride together in eastern Kentucky.
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Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte MD student, John-Hewlett “JH” West, snaps a selfie while riding through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
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JH in the Rockies: Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte MD student, John-Hewlett “JH” West, at the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
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Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte MD student, John-Hewlett “JH” West, rides into Colorado.
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John-Hewlett “JH” West with his grandparents, Patsy West and Eddie West Jr.
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Wake Forest University School of Medicine students John-Hewlett “JH” West and Jerry Wang arrive on their bikes at The Pearl, in Charlotte, on June 30, 2026.
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John-Hewlett "JH" West celebrates the culmination of his more than 4,000-mile bike ride across the United States by reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on July 5, 2026.
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John-Hewlett "JH" West celebrates with his grandfather, Eddie West Jr., after the culmination of his more than 4,000-mile bike ride across the United States at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on July 5, 2026.

His grandfather, Eddie West Jr., was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2024, which led to a more than year-long treatment plan that included iron infusions, surgery and immunotherapy. In the midst of being treated for colon cancer, he also had a stroke. Physicians discovered a brain tumor and began radiation.

While recovery has been slow, his condition continues to improve. His spirits lifted when he learned about his grandson’s bike ride.

“His grandmother and I are so proud of his desire to support both us and others who are facing similar challenges through his cross-country bike journey,” says Eddie West Jr.

“As John-Hewlett’s grandmother, I was so deeply touched that I cried,” says Patsy West. “I was overcome with gratitude, humbled that he has undertaken this endeavor and, yes, pride in his deep spirit of compassion and caring for his grandfather.”

Several of JH’s medical school classmates in Charlotte rode alongside him on different legs of the cross-country journey. Sebastian "Sebbie" Scrivner joined as he crossed into Idaho and rode along to western Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. JH linked up with Jerry Wang in eastern Kentucky, and Benjamin Stubblefield joined them in Charlotte to finish the ride through North Carolina.

“I’m so appreciative of them taking on the challenge and joining for the trip,” JH says. “Sebbie, Jerry and Ben just blew my mind how awesome they were on the bike and how fun it was to be out there and share this adventure. They're such great people who I look up to, and I appreciate them making the journey.”

It started as an idea that grew into reality with support from their families, friends, and faculty and classmates at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. In the months leading up to the journey, they practiced by riding around the Charlotte area, taking apart their bikes, changing flat tires and accounting for other obstacles they may encounter on the road.

JH admits that he was nervous starting out on the road and wasn't sure how his body and mind would hold up. He traveled from 30 to over 100 miles daily, slept in tents, motels, even a small church, and ate whatever food was available and convenient. He braved rainstorms, high winds, mosquitoes, sunburn and countless flat tires — the victim to “teeth-rattling” rocky terrain, rocks, thorns and other sharp hazards. He even fended off a group of bandit raccoons trying to take his stash of snacks while camping one night in the Midwest.

Yet, he found motivation to keep pedaling through encounters with folks along the way, while taking in the natural beauty of America’s vast farmlands, mountains, deserts, rivers and forests.

“I think the coolest thing was the support from strangers, either at cafes or restaurants, and somebody will insist that they buy me a coffee after we've chatted for a bit,” says JH. "That was really cool and kept me going. Support from my parents and family, girlfriend and friends back home was really big too.”

His full route went through parts of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and ended in North Carolina.

Along with Sebbie and Jerry, JH updated an Instagram account to document their journey with photos and other highlights. After spending their first year of medical school together, they each saw this journey as an opportunity to contribute to a good cause while they still had some free time on their hands.

Classes begin July 13, where they’ll continue honing their medical skills in specialty areas ranging from orthopaedics to surgery to physical medicine to rehabilitation and more.

“It's a lot of hard work but it's a lot better when you have great people to do it with,” says JH, of his medical school classmates and faculty in Charlotte. “A lot of them have sent messages and been super supportive of our bike trip.”

On June 30, JH and Jerry rode onto campus at The Pearl in Charlotte, parked their bikes and ceremoniously touched the Wake Forest University School of Medicine sign. A group of their classmates and friends excitedly greeted them as they arrived at the milestone landmark, including Stubblefield.

After passing through Wilmington, all four of the classmates ended the journey together riding onto Wrightsville Beach, where JH’s grandparents and other family members cheered and embraced him, as he cooled off his wheels in the Atlantic Ocean.

“Their support along the way has been really huge,” JH says. “The way my grandparents have handled everything has definitely become an inspiration for me and a reminder on the tough days that you just have to keep pushing.”