Ava Finnegan is a graduate student at Mercy 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?

My connection to the cancer community comes for a personal place. Before I was born my grandfather passed from colon cancer. I used to ask my grandma where grandpa was. She would respond that he was no longer with us and he was in a much better place looking over everyone in our family. Until I was a bit older she began to explain that cancer had taken his life. All my young brain could comprehend was that cancer has the ability to take away a loved one's life. It was not until I was older did I start to understand the effects of cancer. One semester in college I took a cadaver class where people who had passed away donated their bodies to science. During this class one would see the deterioration of  the body overtime from certain diseases including cancer. You begin to realize how precious life truly is.

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

As a 4K rider I look forward to raising awareness for those who have cancer. Not only will the money fundraised benefit those who have cancer. I will be able to go across the country with just two wheels. This will be the adventure of a lifetime where you have to physically and mentally challenge yourself to keep going. There are so many young adults who suffer from cancer who have to push themselves forward when they go though treatments. I could not think of a better group of people to ride for. 4K will allow me to work in a team environment. Where we are all riding for this same amazing cause.

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!