Caitlin Baker is a graduate student at University of Wisconsin - Madison. 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 Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

In high school, I was part of the cross country and track teams. One of my teammates, Willa, had a very rare cancer. Doctor's originally thought it had went away after treatment, but it came back a couple years later. Shortly after it coming back, she died. I remember one of the runs we ran together everyone else on the team turned back early, but Willa and I wanted to keep going. It was one of my favorite runs and I will always remember the laughs we shared during that run. Each summer in high school I went on church mission trips. One of the girls, Nina, in the group had brain cancer and ended up dying her senior year of high school. Nina always had a smile on her face and found a way to make everyone laugh.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Foundation?

Running has always been a big part of my life and what better way to support a great cause by doing something I love. I hope by participating in this run I can make a difference in someone’s life. In addition, I want to be able to experience the country in a new way and push my running limits. By knowing I am running for a purpose, it will make the trip more enjoyable and impactful.

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!