About Me

Profile

About: Hey I’m Shantanu! I was born in Connecticut, but grew up right here in Austin since kindergarten. As a result, I’ve developed a soft spot for live music, Tex-Mex, and all things outdoors.

One thing most people wouldn’t know about me on face is all the different places I’ve worked over the past few years. I’ve catered for a food truck, taught math, mopped bathroom floors, and even worked as a bouncer on one occasion.

I originally wanted to become a physician, but a summer with the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom changed my perspective. The NHS is the UK’s universal health care system.

Anyone could walk in with any condition and receive treatment, regardless of their means to pay. I had always thought who could help someone more than a doctor? The NHS is what led me to consider being a public servant over a health care provider. If someone could be a part of policy that facilitated access to health care, he or she could save more lives than any single doctor could in a lifetime of practice.

It was that experience that led me to pursue economics. I hope to obtain a Ph.D. in the field and go into public service, specifically in reforming entitlement programs such as Medicare/Medicaid.

While I may not ever treat the issues as directly as a doctor, I can contribute to making sure money is put towards the right programs and research. The difference between public service and Texas 4000 is that T4K lets me play a role right now. Then once I finish my education, I will continue the fight.

Why I Ride

I ride for Neeta, the first person in my life to pass away from cancer. I was in elementary school, and was best friends with her son. Our families were and still are close today.

In the years since, the parents of friend after friend have been diagnosed. Cancer has impacted the lives of those closest to me. They’ve been my best friends, my roommates, and my colleagues. People I see everyday have loved ones they have lost or are going through the fight.

Eventually it touched me through a misdiagnosis of my mom. For a few months I experienced the same stress, anxiety, and fear my closest friends were experiencing. We were lucky enough it was a misdiagnosis, but that was all it took. I didn’t want to wait for it to happen before I starting doing something about it.

I am not an oncologist, but I see Texas 4000 as a means to play a small role in something bigger than myself. It’s the same appeal that initially drew me to public service and economics.

I’ve heard someone say one of the worst things that could happen when your child has cancer is that they survive. He was referring to the financially crippling cost of treatment in the United States. Cancer can oftentimes be synonymous with bankruptcy.

This problem gets to the issues that resonate most in me. Unaffordable health care, lack of coverage from entitlement programs, no access to insurance, all problems I hope to confront one day. Texas 4000 is just the beginning.

This is why I ride.