Alli Graf is a graduate student at Frostburg State University. In the summer of 2018, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to Portland, OR raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Cancer affects so many people in our society, so I think everyone has a connection to the cancer community, even if it has not directly impacted your family. I am lucky to only have one person in my family struggle with cancer and fortunately overcome it, but there are many family friends who have struggled with the fight. In college, my adviser lost her fight against cancer right before my graduation, and that hit me, and our campus community hard. It is astonishing how many people cancer affects, directly or indirectly, and as a society, I believe we need to come together in support of this ongoing fight.

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

When I heard about 4K for Cancer from a friend in college I thought it was a brilliant organization. I have always wanted to do a cross country road trip, and if I can help support people along the way that makes the trip much more rewarding. One of my biggest passions is helping others and this organization will allow me to support the cancer community by cancer by fundraising and spreading awareness. Cancer survivors are an inspiration to me and I want to show them that I care. Another passion of mine is for protecting the environment, so I am excited to bike across the country instead of burning tons of fossil fuels in a car. I am also excited to work with so many compassionate and selfless people willing to fundraise and spend their whole summer striving to make a difference. I love that this organization promotes community and health and being a part of something bigger than yourself.

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!