Brianna Davis is a junior at University of Maryland, College Park. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Baltimore, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Two years ago I had a friend participate in the 4K for Cancer program and it was then that I realized how many people in my community cancer had affected. While she was preparing for the run, I saw so many people in my community reach out to her, asking her to dedicate a day of her run to one of their family members who had been affected by cancer. After seeing this, I was compelled to take a look into my own bubble and see how cancer had affected my own friends and family. Unfortunately, I heard stories from my closest friends about their grandparents, parents, and other family members who all had been diagnosed with different types of cancer. I found out that even my own relative had beat cancer. After hearing all this, I understood just how many people cancer affects and the lasting impact it can have. Since then, I have wanted to do something to help and provide support for those with cancer.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

After learning about how cancer had affected my friends and family, I knew I wanted to make a difference. I am traveling 4,000 miles this summer so that I can make a difference all across the country. I want to be able to impact individuals from California to Maryland, and everything in between. Traveling these 4,000 miles with 4K for Cancer allows me to do so. I know that battling cancer can be a long, tough battle and I want to provide hope, service, and relief to as many people as I can. By running these 4,000 miles, I can make a large impact because I am given the tools I need to help those affected by cancer while participating in an activity I enjoy, running.

2019 marks the 18th 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 Foundation (Ulman). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner a at www.4kforcancer.org! 

CHALLENGE:

Over 72,000 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:

Ulman Foundation changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, Ulman 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.

Ulman House - This year Ulman will open 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!