Justin Laiti is a freshman at Virginia Tech. In the summer of 2019, he 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?

Everyone has connections to this horrible disease and a few of mine include my mom, grandpop, and uncle. They are all incredible people and thankfully doing well. Still, too many loved ones, and people worldwide, are affected by cancer. In middle school and high school I began to fight back by getting involved in a club called Young Hearts that worked closely with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fundraise and raise awareness for blood cancer. I became a leader in the club sophomore year and grew closer to the cancer community by being a part of the club’s amazing work. Additionally, I am currently a freshman in General Engineering and hoping to major in Biomedical Engineering so I can use my skills to have a positive impact on the cancer community.

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

I love running. I love adventures. I love meeting new people. Most importantly, I love so many people whose lives have been affected by cancer. It’s honestly a dream come true to spend my summer working towards something I am passionate about while doing all these things I love.

The Ulman Fund is supporting kids my age in their battle with cancer and I want to help. I am going to help deliver chemo packages and scholarships to those affected by cancer. Not only will I be raising money to support this charity, but I will be participating first hand in their amazing work.

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!