Hilary Lee is a college graduate of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. 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 Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Unfortunately, cancer affects everyone. There have been a few people in my life that have been diagnosed with cancer. My grandma, my dad, and one of my close friends have all been diagnoised with some form of cancer. 

My dad has had different forms of skin cancer through out his life. Some smaler than others, but cancer none the less. Still scary! When he was young he was always outside and could have cared less for sunscreen. For me, this one is scary because I have also had precancerous spots on my skin. One was major and changed my whole look on being outside without using sunscreen.  

The one that affected me the most was my grandma. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. When she was diagnosed, they didnt think she would have to do chemo or radiation. After the surgery, they realized it was more than they had thought and she would have to go through chemo. I was young when she was diagnoised and was obviously terrified. I was afriad of losing her. She is now cancer free but to see her go through so much was terrible: radiation, chemo, etc. Since her diagnoises I have volunteered at various breast cancer walks to help with awareness. 

When my friend Cameron was diagnosied with cancer, I was heart broken. He was only 22 when he was diagnoised with cancer. Only a year older than me. He was happy and healthy, how could something so terrible happen to someone so young? But it didnt end there. He later relapsed with tumors in his lungs. Im happy to say Cameron is now healthy and happy and such an inspiration to me to live a positive and filling life. 

Truth is, cancer can happen to anyone. Im especially excited to run with the 4k For Cancer becasue it specifically helps younger adults with cancer like my friend Cam. 

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

I am SO excited to be a part of the Ulman Cancer Fund community!! I am blessed to be healthy and hopefully inspire others to give back in such a way I am able to do through this run across the country. When I found out how much I lovved runnning, I was going through my own battles. Running helped me to keep calm and focused. It makes me extremely grateful that I can use something that makes me so happy to help others. I hope that with this run, I can help raise the awareness of cancer and all that comes with it. I think some people assume it will never happen to them, but cancer can happen to anyone at any age. Cancer doesn't only affect the person who is diagnosed, but also close family and friends. My hope is to not only raise money for the foundation, but to raise a general awareness for 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!