Caitlin Davis is a senior at Mount Marty College. In the summer of 2017 she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49 day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD to raise funds and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. 

What is your connection to the cancer community?

My grandpa, Floyd Leroy Davis, battled cancer for twenty-nine years. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in the 1980’s, and recovered from that only to be diagnosed with melanoma in 1997. For several years, they used radiation to remove the spots, but it had spread too catastrophically. After five years of fighting, he passed away on July 17, 2009. I was only 15 years old at the time he passed, but I vividly remember the emotional and physical turmoil that cancer created not only for my grandpa, but on my entire family. However, I will never forget the way that our small town community came together to support my grandpa and our family in every sense of the word. When Grandpa Davis passed away, our community of only 1,500 people raised over 3,000 dollars for my grandma, who subsequently donated the money to the ambulance fund in Elk Point. This is my personal connection to cancer, but I believe that everyone is connected to the cancer community simply by being human. While cancer has the capacity to destroy, it is through the power of community and human connectedness that we refuse to let it defeat us.  

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

As a collegiate cross country and track athlete, I have a fierce passion for running. The real joy of sport for me is within the process and the connections I’ve been able to develop with other people. At Mount Marty College, I am the President of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and I constantly stress the importance of using the talents and abilities that God has given us in order to glorify Him and serve His people. This is the ultimate way for me to let God use my passions and abilities for something much greater than myself. Cancer is a battle that can only be overcome when people stand together to combine their strengths, hope, and determination. My love for running is complimented by my love for helping those around me in whatever ways I am best able. Through volunteering, I have cultivated my joy for serving others and incorporating various perspectives into my own. Everyone has their own unique perspective, and I can learn so much from opening my perspective to others. It is through this sharing of perspectives that great things happen. This once in a life time opportunity combines my two greatest passions in a way that I never even imagined possible. I am unbelievably excited for the opportunity to raise money and awareness for young adults who are battling cancer and to strengthen their support system. 

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!