Elgin Community College grad pedals against cancer
Cancer has marred Megan Larsen's life with loss.
The disease claimed four of the 22-year-old Streamwood woman's loved ones - a grandmother, a high school friend, a neighbor and a co-worker - between October 2008 and October 2009.
Amid the grief and anger, she decided joining the fight was the best coping mechanism.
Larsen is pedalling 4,500 miles of pavement on a mission of hope. She is biking in the Illini-4000 For Cancer, an event sponsored by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where Larsen is a senior business triple major.
"Each day will be a challenge," she said, "but what we're doing is nothing compared to what someone goes through fighting cancer."
Larsen and the 27 other riders began their journey May 25 in New York City and should finish Aug. 1 in San Francisco. When breaking from their 80 miles of daily travel, the group interviews cancer patients and others affected by the disease. The stories shared are documented on camera for later display.
"The things you see, the people you hear, their stories are so touching," Larsen said. "To see the looks on people's faces when you tell them what you're doing. So many people cry or donate money on the spot."
In order to qualify for the Illini-4000, each rider must raise $3,000, which is donated to the American Cancer Society and Camp Kesem, a summer camp for children with parents who have or had cancer.
Larsen is no stranger to fundraising. During her two years at Elgin Community College, she participated in Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society focused on service learning, and worked closely with the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.
When Larsen was in charge of Phi Theta Kappa's fundraising, she helped the chapter collect more than $5,000 for charity, a record high. Adviser Amybeth Maurer inspired her efforts and encouraged her interest in Relay For Life, Larsen said.
"(Larsen) has a very positive personality," Maurer said. "She has a strong talent, not just in raising money, but in helping people understand issues and cancer and in making people want to do something."
After surpassing the Illini-4000's minimum contribution and gathering nearly $5,000, Larsen is still going. She will continue taking donations and promoting her cause until the finish line.
"She's an amazing person to have wanted to do this in the first place," Maurer said. "She has a really big heart, considering I know she's struggling herself with finances."
As Larsen continues her journey west, she made a brief stop in Elgin in time for ECC's Relay For Life, speaking about her work for cancer research and awareness. ECC's event ran from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday and raised more than $30,000 for cancer research.
"Relay For Life is why I come back to ECC so much," she said. "ECC was the best time of my life. It changed my life. After college I want to be more involved in their relay planning. It's something I plan to do for the rest of my life."