Aashiv Bharij
Hometown: Park Ridge, IL
University: University of Illinois
Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology
BIOGRAPHY
Hello readers! My name is Aashiv Bharij and I'm a senior in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois studying to become a physician. I'm from the Chicago suburbs, but I have really loved calling Champaign-Urbana home for the last few years. I've been a huge fan of cycling for the last couple of years and am an avid rider on the Chicago North Trail for those of you from the city. It always seemed like an easy choice to join the Illini 4000 because it combined my love of distance cycling with my commitment to serving others. Besides riding, I enjoy discovering new types of music and have even tried my hand at learning the guitar. I've also developed a lot of other interests on campus including Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the Foundation for the International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC). Through FIMRC, I was able to travel to Costa Rica and see a different side of the world. I loved Costa Rica and all the culture. This makes me even more excited to ride with Illini 4000 and experience not only the open road, but Americana heritage while serving a noble cause.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
My family and I have been fortunate enough not to experience cancer firsthand, but that doesn't mean that I have not understood the effects. I've witnessed neighbors, family friends, and teachers fight cancer head on. The physical toll was unimaginable, but the emotional toll was even worse. I spent this last summer volunteering at a hospice and met various patients who had cancer and ran out of options. I learned that many of those patients did not have family or friend who visited them often. Through those experiences it occurred to me that I wanted to be a voice. And after school started, and I learned about the Illini 4000 and their mission, I knew it was something I wanted to do. I realized that just because cancer didn't effect me directly didn't mean that I couldn't help. I want to ride to show that charity knows no limits.