Luke Ellison is a graduate student at Western Michigan University. 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?

When I first signed up for the 4k for Cancer I didn't not have any close connections to the cancer community. Then, a few months ago, my grandfather was diagnosed with bladder cancer which came as a surprise to all of us as he has always been in such good health. He is currently undergoing immunotherapy treatment and is not in critical condition.

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

There are many reasons why I am inspired to take part in the 4k challenge. Firstly, I have been convinced that those who have the resources to do so have a moral responsibility to help those less fortunate than themselves. This primarily came through my exposure to the effective altruism community, notably through Will Macaskill’s book “Doing Good Better”. One major problem in the world is cancer which presently destroys the lives of countless numbers of family members and friends that are close to people all around the world. Just about everyone is affected by cancer. It is most likely a solvable problem, or at least a problem that can be diminished greatly if enough resources are allocated to it. I have also noticed a moral lapse in my own personal action to solve problems like these. I fill my life up with so many time demanding projects that I lose sight of what really is important in this world: helping improve the quality of life of others and diminishing the degree of suffering that exists in this world. The 4K challenge would give me the opportunity to merge my love of long distance running with the goal of making the world a better place. The 4k challenge also meshes with my goal/achievement guided mentality that keeps me motivated to move forward in my life. How often do I get the opportunity conquer an achievement as big as running across the country? Not often, and I am convinced that pursuing this challenge is the right choice for me at this moment in my life.

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!