Hanna Houck is a junior at Mount St. Mary's University. 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?

Who has not been affected by cancer? My paternal grandmother battled and won the fight against Pancreatic cancer in 2008. I was only 10 then, but I knew how low the survival rate was. I am thankful that I did not lose her then, but many people are not as lucky. In 2010, my maternal grandfather died of stomach cancer. The tumor in his stomach was the size of a softball and due to his age, the doctors could not operate. In 2016, my paternal grandfather was diagnosed with Melanoma. Thankfully, he beat it about a year and a half later. Watching my loved ones go through these illnesses were some of the hardest times of my life.

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

I have been given the gift of health that allows me to run. Running has helped me deal with severe depression and anxiety. I want to run for those who cannot. 4,000 miles of running is nothing compared to the pain and suffering that cancer patients of all ages and their families endure every day. I have not met someone whose life has not been affected by cancer and that is frightening. My hope while running this is that I inspire others to join the fight against cancer and help raise funds to support young adults battling 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!