Ziyi Yan is a freshman at Sierra College. In the summer of 2018, 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 Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Many people who were close to me were infected by cancer, and one of them was my grandfather. He was diagnosed as colorectal cancer in February, 2008 in China, and he passed away in October 21st, 2008. I still can remember how I felt when I reached the hospital and saw my grandfather already gone. My grandmother told he was looking for me before he left. I believe this kind of stories happen every day and a lot of people are suffering for losing the people who they love. I truly hope that people can be encouraged because of 4kforcancer, I hope every cancer patients and their family can understand that we are strong enough to fight against cancer, we can make anything possible.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

I want to encourage every cancer patients that they can beat cancer and that they are not alone. I want to raise awareness to the whole world. I am from China, I moved to the United States four months ago. Coming to the United States and meeting amazing people who encourage each other and raise awareness to cancer, made me realize that I need to step up and be apart of this courageous team. Me challenging myself for the 4K will show the world that no matter where they are from: every race, gender, and religion: people can get together and be one.

2018 marks the 17th 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 Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner a at www.4kforcancer.org! 

CHALLENGE:

Over 70,000 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:

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, the Ulman Cancer Fund 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.

UCF House - This year UCF broke ground on 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!