Arthur Bookstein is a senior at University of California, Berkeley. In the summer of 2019, 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 Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Cancer has touched my life in several ways. I lost both of of my grandparents on my mother's side to stomach and thyroid cancer before I was born, so I never got the chance to meet them. I wish I could have spent time with them and learned more about my Japanese heritage from them. My favorite middle school science teacher, who helped inspire my passion for science and teaching, was also lost to cancer after a two-year battle with metastatic lung cancer. After hearing about my science teacher's diagnosis, I brought together a group of friends and helped to fundraise money for the American Lung Cancer Assocation as well as send our science teacher messages of love and support. My dedication to understanding and treating cancer continues today as an undergraduate researcher studying genetic mechanisms and biomarkers for cancer progression. I hope to one day be able to not only treat cancer patients as a physician but also develop novel biomedical treatments for cancer patients. I resonate and stand in solidarity with those whose lives have been impacted by cancer as mine has been. I look forward to joining hands with those in the cancer community in remembering, supporting, and fighting until we beat cancer once and for all.

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

I want to make a statement about what fighting cancer means to me. I don't want to have to wait until I'm a healthcare professional and seasoned researcher to do that. I find it gratifying to apply myself mentally, physically and emotionally for a single cause that I care about, and I don't think I've found an opportunity that allows me to do that to the same extent that the 4K for Cancer does. I love biking, meeting new people, being active and exploring, so I know this bike trip will be rewarding for me in all these ways; but beyond that, I think that the 4K for Cancer will be an enlightening and life-changing experience that will redefine my outlook and appreciation for life; not just my life, but also those whose lives cancer has affected. I want to grow as a person and push myself to achieve in a way that I have never done before, and I'm excited to pursue all of that and more this summer in the name of the cancer community with the Ulman Foundation

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!