Samantha Yadron
Hometown: Chicago, IL
University: University of Illinois
Major: History & Integrative Biology
BIOGRAPHY
Hi there, I am currently a sophomore history and IB student at the U of I. I am a history student because I love learning about the human condition throughout different places and times. That’s also why I am riding across the country to raise money for cancer research in the summer of 2015: to discover a diverse group of peoples’ histories and experiences of cancer all across the country. I am studying biology so that one day I can work in wildlife conservation and medicine. I am from the city of Chicago and when I’m there I can be found in parks, along the amazing lake front path, and in the multiple coffee shops with my nose buried in a book or connecting with some random but awesome person I just met. I love meeting new people. I have a few passions: learning, writing, being in nature, climbing rocks, and being around people, animals, and plants. And, of course, I am passionate about cycling. I can’t wait to spend next summer on my bike to raise money for this cause.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
I have been lucky enough in my lifetime to have not experienced cancer of a loved one first-hand. But I have heard so many stories of how it can affect a person’s life and I know multiple amazing people who are cancer survivors and have become profound influences on who I am. I am biking with Illini 4000 to raise money for cancer research and patient support services because I know of the pain of loss to cancer and of the amazing resilience of survivors. A phrase I’ve recently heard is “I never lose…I either win or I learn.” Let’s defeat this horrible disease but also learn from the stories of those who have experienced loss or survived.