Nate Prescott
Hometown: Oak Park, IL
University: University of Illinois
Major: Sociology & Linguistics
BIOGRAPHY
Hi! I'm Nate. I'm a senior Sociology major and Linguistics minor here at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. With this being my last year on this campus, I'm looking forward to making the most of it with the Illini 4000 Bike Team. I am originally from Oak Park, Illinois, where I'm the oldest of five kids; I have two brothers (Will and Charlie), two sisters (Abby and Emma), and two dogs (Scout and Ellie). For the past four years, I've been a member of the U of I Men's Club Lacrosse Team, and I've loved every minute of it. I'm excited to be a part of another team this year. While biking is only a recent passion of mine, giving back to my community and helping others has long been a part of my life. My parents raised me to appreciate the value of charity and community service. Ever since I was a little kid, my parents would take my siblings and I to volunteer at a local homeless shelter once a week. The insight and value gained from those experiences have proved immeasurable in my upbringing. Here on campus, aside from helping out with the lacrosse team when I can (I have used all four years of my player eligibility), I'm an Algebra tutor at Champaign Central High School, and I mentor a Congolese immigrant in English about twice a month. I'm hoping that with this ride, I can continue giving back to the country and community which has given me so much.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Cancer is a universal disease. It does not discriminate based on race, gender, sexual preference, or background. Cancers are the second leading cause of death in the United States, and the effect that it has on daily American life is staggering. I want to be involved in the fight for a cure because I have seen the effects it can have on families. My family has been fortunate enough to have eluded the disease up to this point in my life, but I have seen the way it has affected several family friends. I want to be involved in the fight for a cure because cancer IS something that affects us all, whether it be directly or indirectly. I want to be involved in the fight against cancer to prove to those battling it that they aren't alone. I want to be involved on this ride to inspire and to give hope. I want to inspire those with cancer to keep fighting, and to maintain hope for a healthy future. I want to be involved on this ride so that someday there will be only cancer survivors, not victims.