Our Mission
The Portraits Project is a branch of the Illini 4000 as a national community that gives a voice to the American cancer experience and inspires people to join together in the fight against cancer. By sharing the stories of people across the United States, the Portraits Project serves as a platform to unite those who have been affected by cancer. The Project strives to provide educational resources, and foster strength in the face of hardship.
Who are we?
Each Portrait is conducted by riders of the Illini 4000: a student-run, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization at the University of Illinois. Every year, the Illini 4000 raises funds for cancer research and patient support services. Members of the Illini 4000 Bike America team ride their bikes across the country to spread awareness and to discover how cancer impacts the lives of ordinary Americans through the collection of Portraits.
The Portraits Project is a component of the Illini 4000 and helps set the Bike America experience apart from other cancer charity rides. Riders interact with people from all over the country and document their stories with photographs and recorded interviews.
Why do we do this?
We believe that everyone has a story to tell. The Portraits Project documents the battle against cancer that Americans face regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, and religion. Through this project, we spread information about cancer and we encourage more people to become involved in the fight against cancer.