Tyler Schoch is a senior at Loyola University Maryland. 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?

I've volunteered and interned at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in various capacities, ranging from patient escort to laboratory intern. As a pre-medical student, I hope to one day help patients in a direct way as a medical professional. All of that being said, my connection to the cancer community is most of all personal. My grandfather, Joe Schoch Sr., died of lung cancer when I was 3; my cousin Katie Onze is a cancer survivor; my uncle Stacy Sinkhorn has been living with an extraordinarily rare cancer for a number of years. Perhaps most impactful, though, was the diagnosis of my good friend Angela DeCarlo during our sophomore year at Loyola. Ang lived across the hall from me and my roommates freshman year and was one of my classmates in Loyola's Honors program. We became friends pretty quickly, and her company was always calming, reassuring, and affirming. She maintained this incredibly kind disposition throughout her battle with cancer, all while refusing to take anything less than her full course load. In November 2018, after two years living with cancer, Angela passed away, having achieved her goal of receiving her diploma from Loyola. I miss Angela dearly every single day, but I am striving to honor her memory by remaining committed to the fight against cancer while I run across the country this summer, as well as in the career to which I aspire. Love you Ang!

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

My good friend and Angela's roommate, Hannah, has already run for Angela, so I guess I can't say that! Of course, Angela is a huge part of my motivation for doing something as crazy as running across the country. The more I considered committing to 4K this summer, the more I realized that this cause blends all of my passions into one illustrious event. I ran varsity cross country at Loyola University Maryland for 4 years, serving as captain my senior year. I love running, and I love running with a team. I've been involved in some capacity in the fight against cancer since high school; running 4K is a role in the fight that I haven't quite taken on yet. When my dad was growing up, my aunt Ellie and uncle Mike (his oldest sister and her husband; there was a big age gap) took him and two of his older brothers on a cross country road trip in what I can only assume was a classic VW van. I've heard so many stories about that trip over the years, and a similar trip has been on my bucket list for a long time. Most importantly, I can be involved as a member of a team working towards something greater than ourselves. I want to bring more joy into the lives of young adults living with cancer and their families. I'm ready and excited to begin this journey!

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!