Alana Gross is a graduate of the Unviersity of Texas at Austin. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of young adults 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?

Cancer has been and always will be a huge part of my life as the disease runs rampant through my immediate family. My maternal grandmother was a three-time breast cancer survivor before she eventually passed away from pancreatic cancer. My paternal grandmother bravely fought lung cancer and my paternal grandfather is a stomach cancer survivor. As well, my dad is a kidney cancer survivor and my mom is a breast cancer survivor—she and my grandmother are also BRCA positive. Through the years, I have been both in the trenches and on the sidelines helping my family members fight their diseases.

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

Since I was a little kid, my parents have always instilled in me the value of going beyond what is being asked of you – to strive to do and be better. This 4K for Cancer is a great opportunity to put these values into actions. Cancer is a horrible disease that not only affects those suffering, but also the community of loved ones offering their support. I want to be a part of the solution and to push my limits to new heights. The Ulman Foundation is truly an amazing foundation. In addition to delivering chemo care packages throughout the ride, we will also volunteer in local communities and visit with families impacted by cancer. For me, this is the ultimate way to put “striving to do better” into action, and hopefully I will forge lifelong bonds with other passionate riders like me along the way.

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!