Louisa Wruck is a graduate of Ohio State University. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to Seattle, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I lost my Tante Karin to ovarian cancer when I was in fourth grade and my dad to lymphoma in high school. While my family’s experience with cancer is not typical, I know it is, unfortunately not as rare as it should be. In this way, my connection to the cancer community is through empathy and in understanding the pain that is difficult for so many to imagine. 

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

My experiences participating in Pelotonia, a bike ride fundraiser event for cancer research in Columbus, Ohio, have shown me how much can be accomplished when people come together to create positive change fueled by the loss and grief that cancer so often leaves behind. In addition to my desire to commit more of my time to fundraising for cancer research and connecting with other like-minded people, there are so many people in my life whose lives have been forever changed by cancer that inspire me to be a rider in the 4K. I want to ride for all of them: my dad, who deserved to live a long life, full of laughs, family, and love; my mom, who deserved to grow old with my dad; my Oma and Opa, who have endured more pain than any person should ever have to endure in a lifetime with the loss of two of their children to cancer; my twin sister, whose dream is to become a doctor so that other people don’t have to go through the pain we did; my younger sister, whose little eight year old self should never have had to speak at her father’s funeral; and every other family who has found hope and happiness in journeys with cancer that have been similarly devastating.

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!