It’s an exceptionally exciting week for the Illini 4000! As our fiscal year comes to a close, we get the incredible opportunity to donate the funds raised by the 2013 Bike America Team. This year, we are incredibly happy to be donating $115,000, split between 7 organizations: The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, LIVESTRONG, Camp Kesem – Illinois, Dr. Brendan Harley's research group at the University of Illinois, and TLC Camp.As the Board of Directors sat together, trying to decide who we would give our money to, all I could think about is how incredibly thankful I am, how thankful we all are. Frequently, people tell me that they’re impressed that a board made up of only 9 students and a team of only 22 can possibly raise so much money, but I always want to explain to them that they have it wrong. Of course, I don’t want to do a disservice to the 2013 Bike America Team – the work that they did during the school year was phenomenal, and the impact that they made through their journey was even more so. I’m so proud of each of them, and so happy to have had them on our team.With that said, their journey and their impact absolutely would not have been possible without the support from each donor and sponsor. We at Illini 4000 are so grateful for the money, time, and hope given to our organization this year. By the time the 2014 Bike America Team crosses the Golden Gate Bridge, we hope to have raised $150,000 dollars in the fight against cancer, and I know that it will happen this year. We’re young and inspired, we have wheels that will turn, and most importantly, we have the love, hope, and support of the people we’ve met and will continue to meet, and we will always keep going. -Tory Cross, President