News & Events

The first week of the University of Illinois Cancer Center Summer Bootcamp provided an opportunity for Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) medical students and Undergraduate Cancer Research Exploration and Training Experience (U-CREATE) undergraduate students to engage with communities across Chicago while learning about the social, cultural and environmental factors that influence health and well-being.

Supporting the ACS Walk & Roll Chicago in the Loop

On May 30, students volunteered at the American Cancer Society’s Walk & Roll Chicago event in Grant Park. Working together, the group set up and staffed a water station along the lakefront trail near the halfway point of the 5K route. Students prepared and distributed hundreds of cups of water to runners and walkers participating in the event, helping participants stay hydrated as they made their way toward the finish line. After the event, the volunteers remained on site to assist with cleanup, demonstrating their commitment to service and community.

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Exploring Community Resources in Englewood

For the Community Lab Tours in partnership with the Office of Community Engagement and Health Equity (CEHE), students visited The Salvation Army Adele and Robert Stern Red Shield Center in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood on the morning of June 5. Guided by the center’s Community Center Director Deshawn Johnson, students learned about the center’s programs, services and longstanding commitment to supporting youth, families and community members. The visit also highlighted the center’s role as a participant in the University of Illinois Cancer Center’s Hope Leaders program, an initiative of the Office of Community Engagement and Health Equity that fosters partnerships between community organizations and cancer researchers. Through this collaboration, the Red Shield Center works alongside Cancer Center researchers to increase cancer awareness, promote health education and address community-identified health priorities in Englewood. Students gained insight into how trusted community organizations serve as essential partners in advancing health promotion and reducing cancer disparities, while addressing the broader social determinants of health that affect community well-being.

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Learning Through Culture and Community in Pilsen

Following the Englewood visit, students traveled to the Pilsen neighborhood for an afternoon focused on culture, history and community identity. After lunch, the group toured the National Museum of Mexican Art, where they explored exhibits highlighting Mexican, Latino and Mexican American art, history and cultural heritage. The day concluded with a guided walking tour of Pilsen’s renowned murals. Students learned about the stories, traditions and community voices reflected in the public artwork, gaining a deeper understanding of how culture, history and place shape neighborhood experiences and influence community health.

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Building Connections Beyond the Classroom

The Summer Bootcamp’s first week emphasized experiential learning through service, community engagement and cultural exploration. By volunteering at a major community event and visiting neighborhoods rich in history and community assets, Winn-CIPP and U-CREATE students gained a broader perspective on the diverse communities they will serve throughout their careers and the many factors that contribute to health equity and cancer prevention.