Emily Emerson is a senior at Virginia Tech. 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 Boston, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I am currently studying to become a doctor. I am a pre-med undergrad student with hopes to become a pediatric oncologist. Not only am I interested into pursuing career in helping those with childhood cancer but I also want to work in rural underserved areas. Rural areas are forgotten about in the health care field too often and the lack of availability to health care is an epidemic I want to tackle as an adult. I am also personally connected to the cancer community through my grandmother and aunt who suffered from ovarian and breast cancers. Both of these women are incredibly strong and unfortunately one lost her battle. My grandmother meant the world to me and was taken too soon from us but my aunt, her daughter, is still battling with breast cancer and is working to win that fight. Also, my mother, a survivor/soldier of chronic Crohns disease, is my role model. She pushes me every day to follow my dreams of becoming a doctor so that I can help those in need and inspires me to be an amazing person. Although her disease is not cancer, she received treatments in the same facilities as those who were undergoing cancer treatments. The few times that I went with her I got to meet some of the patients going through these unimaginable diseases. Through these experiences, I have been humbled and connected for a lifetime to these patients and people suffering from cancer.

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

I have always been very driven to serve and have worked to better my local community where ever I have ended up. However, I thought it was time for me to reach new goals and stretch my love for service to new lengths. I am so excited to be a part of such an amazing opportunity that can allow me to fulfill my love of service in a way that is very applicable to my future career goals. With dreams to become a Pediatric Oncologist I am thrilled to be running across the country to bring hope to and spread awareness about young adults with cancer.

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!