Alison White is a Senior at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. In the summer of 2017, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to Portland, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Cancer has impacted so many people in my life. Someone very important to me, a wonderful grandmother, mother, and sister, recently passed of lung cancer. She showed incredible strength throughout her life and fought until her last day. I also am lucky enough to work with children with cancer as a student nurse. These children inspire me with their resilience and positivity despite the obstacles life has presented to them. I have seen first hand the struggles that people and their families must endure because of cancer.

Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

I am riding to support this organization that provides so many opportunities for young adults with cancer. This relentless disease can strip young people of the things we take for granted every day. They spend countless amounts of time and money on treatment, along with having to suffer through the side effects of the medications. This community of people needs a great deal of support. During the ride, our team will be able to provide scholarships for higher education, chemo care bags, arrange a bone marrow drive, and spend time with patients and their families who need love and encouragement. I hope that by embarking on this journey, I am able to inspire hope in those affected by cancer, the same way they have inspired me to ride. It is not just about raising enough money, but spending time with and helping a community of amazing people. Traveling across the country, I will not only be able to gain an amazing adventure, but also touch the lives of many different people along the way.

2017 marks the 16th 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 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!