Sanya Mehta is a senior at North Carolina State University. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile bike ride from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco, CA raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Many of my patients as a volunteer EMT were cancer patients. Even though each patient was only in my care for a short time, I learned about each individual's unique battle, and the damage caused to one’s body and mind as well as to the wellbeing of their loved ones. Listening to their stories was a harrowing experience, and these patients are the ones I think of most often. I would love to be able to make a long term difference as a 4K rider because my brief encounters with cancer have definitely left a lasting impact on me.

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

After graduating college, I want to spend a summer focused on something bigger than myself. While survival rates improve for many cancers in children and older adults, for decades, they have not changed much for cancer in young adults. Therefore, working to raise awareness for those battling cancer and joining a community of support for young adults impacted by cancer is a big deal to me.

Another reason I am joining the 4K is that ever since I began cycling in college, bikes have had an immense impact on my life. I have found strength while enduring pain, as well as balance, adventure, and community while on two wheels. I want to share the joy bikes bring with others through an intentional summer of cycling.

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!