Elizabeth Hoffman is a junior at University of Indianapolis. 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?

Cancer makes itself known in a lot of ways and almost all of us come into contact with cancer at some point. I have known what seems like countless people who have battled cancer. I have seen people fight back with all they have and some who are overcome by the disease. My grandmother passed away from ovarian cancer when I was in the 7th grade and that was by far the hardest thing I have ever dealt with to this day. My high school cross country coach’s mother is a breast cancer survivor and each October we dedicated our races to her and it made each race so much more special as we ran for her not ourselves. I have seen good days and bad days while cancer refuses to let go. In my opinion the cancer community is a community that fights not only for themselves but for each other in any way that they can. I am running for those who can not and all those who have earned the right for their story to be remembered by battling cancer head on. They deserve for their stories to be known and honored. I hope that our team can spread joy and comfort to all those we come in contact with so that they know we run for them.

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

I have been a runner for most of my life starting in third grade with Girls on the Run. I fell in love with running and I have never looked back. Some of my greatest memories in my life come from running and I am forever thankful for the sport. I have run with numerous teams for a wide array of distance from 5ks to a full marathon and they all hold a special place in my heart. All my life I feel as though I have been building up to something and I believe this is it. Running across this great nation with such amazing people makes me more excited than I could have ever imagined. Running for something bigger than yourself makes every step even more meaningful and is an incredible experience. I have been so blessed in this life I and I see this as an amazing opportunity to give back to some of the most deserving people on this planet.

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!