David Walder
Hometown: Oak Park, IL
University: University of Illinois
Major: Computer Engineering
BIOGRAPHY
Hi! I’m David Walder, and I’m a senior at Illinois majoring in Computer Engineering. I’m originally from Oak Park, one of those Chicago suburbs. I discovered the Illini 4000 on quad day of my freshman year while looking for something exciting to do. I rode with the team in 2011 and decided that wasn’t enough. Since then, I’ve been the Director of Logistics, planning the route and stayovers for each team, and I will be rejoining the Bike America team as a ride leader in 2014. When I’m not biking, coding, or looking at maps for hours on end, I also enjoy playing violin. I’m excited to experience the Bike America program with a great group!
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Cancer has always been a part of my life, especially on my mother’s side of the family. When I was in high school, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had always heard the word “cancer” and knew that it was a part of my family, but had no real idea what that concept meant. When I saw the Illini 4000 on quad day of my freshman year, I saw it as a way to give me a better understanding of cancer. Participating in the 2011 Bike America program showed me how cancer has affected all varieties of community, and how powerful a strong community can be in the face of cancer. Since arriving in San Francisco in 2011 and leaving for New York in 2014, I have seen cancer affect family, friends, I4Kers, and many many others. Being on the Board of Directors for the Illini 4000 these past three years has opened my mind to the huge number of people, programs, companies, and communities out there that are fighting against cancer and bringing hope to the families affected by it every day. I have been given the opportunity to meet some of the greatest people that this country has to offer and help them to fight cancer, and am looking forward to doing it again this coming summer.