Anya Nova is a sophomore at St. Francis College. 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 Seattle, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I have known friends and distant relatives who had cancer but it has never impacted me more than it has in the last two years.

On March 2015, I got a text message saying that my dad fell and hit his head. Next thing I know, he was rushed to the hospital and days later, on his birthday, he was in surgery. He was diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma Multiforme. Our world was flooded with unfamiliar and unkind words like aggressive, unresponsive, malignant, and terminal. We were told that the average life expectancy for someone with his condition was a year at best.

I can't even put into words how hard the following year was. There were many ups and downs during this time, but the overall trend was downward. On February 24, 2015 I watched my dad take his last breath. It was probably the hardest moment of my entire life. That day I vowed to honor him and carry on his legacy by whole-heartedly pursuing my dreams.

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

My dad was a fighter. Despite his doctor's warnings, no matter how tired, nauseous, or weak he felt, he ran everyday. He started out circling the block. When that became impossible, he ran up and down the driveway. When he could no longer run outside, he ran indoors. When he could no longer run, he would ask his nurse's to take him for walks. He once said to me "it's the only thing that makes me feel alive".

My main motivation for doing this is to so that his legacy can continue to live on. If he could get up and push himself to the maximum each day, there is nothing that is stopping me from doing the same.

I can't think of a better way to spend the summer than to give back to the cancer community in such a big 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!