Zak Comstock is a graduate student at Coconino Community College. On June 2nd, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to San Francisco, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

My connection to the cancer community is very strong. I've had many relatives that have had different forms of cancer. From skin to brain tumors, I have seen many of them struggle to great lengths to fight for their life. I want to show that if they can fight for their life then biking across America is much easier. People battling cancer inspire me to be a better person and I want to give back to the community and help them keep fighting their fight. I want to inspire them to keep fighting and pushing for a cure.

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

The reason for my journey across America is to help and continue to inspire people across the world. I want to show everyone that just because something might be hard doesn't make it impossible. Everyone in the world is going through something hard, from work to school or even struggling to eat but I want to show that it is possible to overcome these difficulties. This 4,000 mile journey isn't to just say I accomplished this task but a platform to prove to people to not be afraid of obstacles in life and to push through to the other side. I believe that people can be inspired by anything and we can all help shape each other to grow to be better people. This adventure will also help with finding a cure to cancer and maybe other diseases. It will show people that we aren't just asking for donations but rather we are biking or running 4000 miles to prove that we are going through mental and physical toughness (no where near as much as cancer patients) but we are putting ourselves through pain to help find a cure. This is an opportunity to give back to the community, people in need, and a chance to show people to keep striving and accomplish their goals no matter the obstacle.

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!