Valeria Manent is a sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park. 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?

Overall, I feel that I have an indirect connection with the cancer community. My grandfather is an oncologist, my grandmother was diagnosed and beat colon cancer in her 40’s, while my aunt was diagnosed with and beat Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in her 30’s- both diagnoses before I was born. Though my family members have battled cancer, and my grandfather is still involved as an oncologist in a hospital setting, I don’t feel deeply connected to the illness’ physical, mental, and emotional impacts. I am lucky that my family members, and close friends have been graced with relatively healthy bodies to date.

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

Since I was in high school, I have asked myself about the person that I want to be in this world. Though I stand uncertain of who exactly I hope to be, I know how I want to make others feel, and how I want to impact our world. I look to improve myself and the places that I am in in any way. Traveling across the country this summer is one way that I can do this.

Ulman Foundation gives students the opportunity to improve the lives of cancer patients through a number of programs and funds raised. I am riding this summer for those who cannot, in hopes that I can support my teammates, their impacted family and friends, and for those that want to ride someday soon.

"May you never discredit how far you have come. May you always remember endless, boundless grace that finds you over and over again." Morgan Harper Nichols

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!