Brittany Aune is a junior at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In the summer of 2018, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco, CA, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Unfortunately, almost everyone has been affected by cancer. Many people close to my heart have had loved ones who were diagnosed with cancer, or they themselves had/have cancer. One of my strongest connections with cancer would be one of my sister’s friend, Bo, who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 12. Our school became very active in Bo’s fight and the school helped inform us more about cancer. Our community grew very passionate about setting up fundraisers to help raise money for Bo and others battling leukemia. Bo passed away after just one year of fighting, and even though he was young, he was very strong and held a wisdom that was beyond his years. He left such a strong imprint on me and our community ; he taught us to be kind to one another, pay it forward, and to live life to the fullest.

Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

I am traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults because I want to follow Bo’s message to pay it forward and live life to the fullest. I would love to be more active in the cancer community and influence others to do the same, and this is a great opportunity to do so. I also am traveling 4,000 miles with UCF for my sister, she has had two friends die of cancer, Bo and another girl in her grade. My sister is only a senior in high school and no one should suffer losing two close friends due to cancer, especially as young as she is. I want to bike to make her proud and to help support a cause that she has actively and passionately been a part of. I want to show her that I am here for her, showing support for her and everyone else who have lost people close to them from cancer, and for all the people who have fought or are currently fighting cancer.

2018 marks the 17th year of the 4K for Cancer sending young adults on journeys across the country in an effort to inspire hope and unite communities in the fight against cancer. The 4K for Cancer is a program of The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner a at www.4kforcancer.org! 

CHALLENGE:

Over 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer every year. Young adults (ages 15-39) face a variety of unique challenges with a cancer diagnosis including fertility preservation, social isolation, lack of insurance, delayed diagnosis, and more. 

SOLUTION:

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, the Ulman Cancer Fund is able to provide free support services and resources for the young adult cancer community including:

Cancer to 5K - a 12-week training program designed to introduce or reintroduce cancer survivors to physical activity.

Patient Navigation - a free program (onsite at cancer centers and remotely through our office) that ensures no young adult ever faces cancer alone. We provide one-on-one support & resources to young adults and their families to help them manage the cancer experience and long-term cancer survival.

Scholarships - a financial assistance program to help young adults continue their education after being affected by cancer through their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one.

UCF House - This year UCF broke ground on a “home away from home” to provide free housing for young adult cancer patients, and their caregivers, in East Baltimore. 

Your donation will help make these programs and our mission possible!