Mackenzie Bach
Hometown: Mt. Prospect IL
University: University of Illinois
Major: Undeclared
BIOGRAPHY
Hey there. My name is Mackenzie and I am a freshman at the University of Illinois (currently undeclared). I have bounced back and forth between the northwest suburbs of Chicago and the D.C. area throughout my life but currently reside in Mt. Prospect IL alongside a majority of my extended family. I am the eldest of three siblings, all of us raised by a single mother. With all of this being said, spending time with family and friends is of huge value to me. I am a personable guy and have been involved in sports and clubs for as long as I can remember. In high school I achieved All-American status in track and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Being apart of the Illini 4000, raising money for a great cause, and biking across the country is my next mission. Through this I feel I can be a voice for those tragically affected by cancer. When I look at 4000 miles now, it seems like nothing when there are more than 14.5 million people affected by cancer... This is why we ride. Time to put rubber to the road, raise money for the cause, and bring hope to millions.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Cancer is a horrible disease. Approximately 39.6 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes. My grandmother was affected by both skin and breast cancer and was diagnosed with the latter of the two in February of 1997. Thankfully she beat it but this is not the case for everyone. Just recently, however, my uncle had to undergo chemotherapy for skin cancer and is still battling the disease. It is extremely painful and interferes tremendously with one's daily life during treatment. Along with this, families and close friends take on and weather the pain of their loved one(s) affected. If untreated or incurable, the unthinkable occurs. It is by my will that the Illini 4000 is something I will put every ounce of my soul into as it is the least that I can do. I will complete the road trip with the thought of my friends, family, and any one else affected, in my heart. I am riding for you and for cancer patients around the world. Lets fight this together.