Austin Slowin is a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the summer of 2017, he 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?

Cancer has presented itself multiple times in my life. My first experience with cancer was when one of my best friends from childhood lost his mother. Though I wasn’t old enough to remember the situation to well, no child deserves to grow up without their mother.
My second encounter with cancer was when I was 9 and my dad discovered he had melanoma. The cancer had developed and spread. My family and I though were lucky that he had discovered it early enough along that the melanoma could be removed. The thought of losing my dad is unbearable and I’m grateful to this day that he is alive and healthy. While my dad was strong and was able to fight off this terrible disease, many others don’t get the same outcome. With 4k for cancer I feel as if I’ll be able to contribute and help support others fight through this terrible disease just like my dad.

Cancer last entered into my life was when I was in 7th grade and one of my friends Jordan passed away from a cancerous tumor. Though him and I weren’t the closest of friends, it was one of the saddest things I’ve had to experience. When the school announced what had happened to the students, kids everywhere began to cry. Many attended counseling set up by the school to cope with his death. Prayers were made towards him and his family by the school and all of us students. Cancer doesn’t just affect those diagnosed; it affects all those who love them as well.

Why are you traveling over 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

Cancer is estimated to kill 7.6 million people this year. That number is horrifying. The amount of people who have to suffer and die from this horrible disease is sickening and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Cancer doesn’t show any sympathy for anyone. Kids and adults both suffer as its victims. Imagine, a child in a hospital bed suffering, while their parent can only sit there, watching, not capable of doing anything to help their own child. No parent should have to see their child suffering. Cancer doesn’t only effect those diagnosed but those who they love. I'm traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults because there are too many people who have suffered from this disease. Cancer has affected my life through both my friend’s and my family and I am tired of amazing, innocent people having their lives taken from them before their time. Cancer has made too many people cry and I'm spending my summer to do my part in making a change.

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!