Ashlee Adams is a Sophomore at Oklahoma State University. 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 San Francisco, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I do not have a direct connection to cancer but it is prevalent in my community. Traveling with team Portland last summer helped me to realize how prevalent cancer truly is. Cancer does not discriminate and could affect anyone at any time which is kind of a scary thought. The people we visited and hospitals could very easily be a friend or loved one of mine in the blink of an eye. Cancer is scary, draining and something I believe that nobody should have to go through. So, while I am truly blessed to not have a direct connection to the cancer community I believe it is important to help and support those who are not as fortunate. 

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

I am riding with the 4K because I have seen how we are able to inspire hope in to families and communities that have been broken down by cancer. Biking is one of the purest forms of freedom. While riding, we have so much control. The bike is powered solely by us and we are in charge of our ultimate direction/destination. Cancer patients do not have this luxury. If we apply this same concept to the life of a cancer patient then we realize how truly blessed we are. While I am in charge of myself and where I end up there is a cancer patient isolated in a hospital bed relying on medicine and doctors. For the most part, they are controlled by cancer and how it reacts to treatment determines their next move. This is a really interesting concept to me and why I truly believe that a bike is a symbol of hope.

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!