Carolyn Harmeling graduated in 2015 from Pennsylvania 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 Seattle, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
Before I was born my mom had her first battle with thyroid cancer and beat it. I knew growing up that my mom was a cancer survivor, but it wasn’t until I was in college that cancer made its presence in my life more permanent. Penn State is known for its Dance Marathon (called THON) benefitting families with children fighting cancer. I got involved right away and it didn’t take long to realize how important it was to be a part of a cause that fights against this terrible disease. Through THON I met countless families with incredible stories of strength and determination. Just as I was about to experience my first Dance Marathon, my mom was diagnosed again- this time with breast cancer. For a year my mom fought against the disease, and again, she won. She is truly the toughest woman I know and she inspires me so much.
Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
When I was a senior in college I had a unique opportunity to stand up for 46 hours straight to show my support for children battling cancer at Hershey Medical Center. There was no question in my mind about doing it. They show the world every day that they can fight cancer, surely I can stay up and standing to show them that they don’t have to do it alone, right?
I’m a very passionate person. When I choose to do something, I try to do it all the way. I’ve always loved biking, but I think this ride would mean so much more than just a ride across the country. It would mean raising awareness, starting conversations, and opening people’s eyes to the reality that everyone with this illness need constant support. Cancer patients don’t get to make a choice, they have to get up every day and give it their all. I want to ride to show the cancer patients that I’m with them.
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!
Supporters | |||
Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
Julie Foley | 08/07/2017 | $25.00 | Congrats - great Job! | Vinny Carrano | 06/04/2017 | $25.00 | You're amazing! I wish you the very best of luck! | George Hewett | 06/04/2017 | $130.00 | Carolyn, The Hewett family is honored to make the donation that helps you achieve your goal; you are very good at achieving your goals and no doubt the ride will be a great success! | Cindy Miner | 05/29/2017 | $25.00 | It was so nice to meet you last summer at Lake Sunapee. Your "resume" of giving back is inspiring. Enjoy the ride! | Caroline Figucia | 05/27/2017 | $20.00 | Good Luck Carolyn! | Leah Kavalchuk | 05/22/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck Carolyn! Enjoy this incredible adventure! | Boston Scientific Employee Giving | 05/12/2017 | $250.00 | Kathy O'Reilly-Doyle | 05/01/2017 | $20.00 | Carolyn, I admire what you are doing and why you signed up. I am glad you and Ann can ride together. | Alex Fownes | 04/24/2017 | $45.00 | So incredibly proud of you for doing this! You've always been a friend that makes me want to push myself to do better. Love you DJ!! Best of luck! | Elizabeth Kelly | 04/23/2017 | $24.00 | Happy Birthday, Carolyn!! Way to go :) Can't wait to watch your progress this summer and congratulations on doing such an amazing thing <3! | Nolan & Larissa Maynard | 04/22/2017 | $50.00 | Good Luck, Carolyn! Kick butt! | April Frederick | 04/21/2017 | $45.00 | Dixie Kuehnel | 04/20/2017 | $50.00 | Laurie McDonough | 04/16/2017 | $25.00 | James Stewart | 04/16/2017 | $16.00 | Mary Hatton | 04/15/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck! | Carolyn Harmeling | 04/12/2017 | $530.00 | Linda C Vallis | 04/10/2017 | $50.00 | Susan Turner Mandeville | 04/10/2017 | $50.00 | Judith A Hall | 04/08/2017 | $70.00 | Rachel H Pascual | 04/08/2017 | $100.00 | Joan Ravens | 04/06/2017 | $50.00 | Peggy Giunta | 04/01/2017 | $50.00 | Inspirational! | Charles Brophy | 03/30/2017 | $100.00 | Steve Hinrichs | 03/26/2017 | $150.00 | Carolyn, I am so proud of what you are doing! | The Dwyer Foundation | 03/22/2017 | $250.00 | Karla MacKenzie | 03/22/2017 | $50.00 | Best wishes on your amazing journey. | Mindy Wogan | 03/20/2017 | $20.00 | Susan Harmeling | 03/20/2017 | $200.00 | Margaret Crockett | 03/19/2017 | $150.00 | Go for it Carolyn! | Carol Burdett | 03/17/2017 | $50.00 | Nicolo Damiano | 03/16/2017 | $100.00 | Michelle Driscoll | 03/15/2017 | $100.00 | Good luck Carolyn | Alycia McGoldrick | 03/15/2017 | $100.00 | Sarah Pennell | 03/13/2017 | $100.00 | Way to go Carolyn! | Linda Lammi | 03/12/2017 | $50.00 | Wishing you an adventurous (but safe) ride. Good luck! | Erin Knight | 03/12/2017 | $100.00 | Denise Gallagher | 03/11/2017 | $25.00 | Ride well for a great cause! | LISA COMEAU | 03/11/2017 | $25.00 | BEST OF LUCK CAROLYN ! | Timothy Pennell | 03/10/2017 | $100.00 | Anonymous Friend | 03/10/2017 | $25.00 | Great cause, Carolyn. Good luck and please ride safely! | Christine Rothman | 03/08/2017 | $100.00 | Carolyn - The young will heal us all! Good Luck! | John Dantzler | 03/08/2017 | $50.00 | Jean & Bob Mascola Mascola | 03/08/2017 | $25.00 | Carolyn, This is a wonderful ride for you do be doing to honor young people with cancer. | JAY & LAURNE MCMULLEN | 03/08/2017 | $20.00 | Melissa Audier | 03/08/2017 | $25.00 | Good luck Carolyn! From the Audiers | Anne Lee | 03/08/2017 | $10.00 | Way to go! The best of luck Carolyn and be safe! Anne Lee | Michael and Sallie Ehrhardt | 03/08/2017 | $500.00 | Thanks to Carolyn for her work on this cause. Mike and Sallie Ehrhardt | Sarah Crockett | 03/06/2017 | $40.00 | So proud of you Carol!! Can't wait to hear all about it. Might have to get you a headset so we can talk on the phone as you ride ;) | Brenda Sutherland | 02/23/2017 | $100.00 | So proud of the woman u have become and the great cause u continue to raise money for. Good luck and ride safe❤️ | Adrien Aloi | 02/10/2017 | $100.00 | Best of luck, Carolyn!! I know you will be just as amazing as you were when you were my dance partner :) Hope to meet you at the finish line, so proud of you!! <3 | Susan & Steve O'Leary | 01/23/2017 | $50.00 | We admire your commitment and hope for good weather all along the way. | Linda Jahnke | 01/23/2017 | $250.00 | So proud of you! My company will match this donation - so more $ coming. Can't wait to hear about your journey. | Angelina Richter | 01/21/2017 | $25.00 | Can't wait to hear about how much butt you kick on this trip. This is such a cool thing and I am so excited for you! | Elizabeth Carrolo | 01/17/2017 | $50.00 | So incredibly proud of everything you do. Just keep biking! :) Love you! | Peter Nelson | 01/16/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck! | Tom & AnnMarie Tower | 01/09/2017 | $100.00 | Hi Carolyn, Best of luck on your long journey for this very worthy cause! | Tom & JoAnne Doherty | 01/09/2017 | $100.00 | Happy New Year, Carolyn! So pleased to support you today. Best of luck! | Gramz Bates | 01/09/2017 | $50.00 | Way to go sweetie | Julia Meyer | 01/09/2017 | $50.00 | You go girl ❤️ | Michael DiFronzo | 01/09/2017 | $50.00 | Susan Harmeling | 01/09/2017 | $500.00 | I'm so proud of you for raising money for this wonderful organization. I really appreciate the beautiful tribute. Can't wait to follow your biking journey! | Luke Harmeling | 01/09/2017 | $50.00 | Ohhhh YEAH!!! | Jonathan Harmeling | 01/09/2017 | $50.00 | This will be a life-changing memory you'll never forget. Check out my buddy's journey for troops: http://www.espn.com/espnw/athletes-life/article/12020104/veteran-hopes-cross-country-trek-becomes-ongoing-tribute-fallen | Tucker Helmus | 01/08/2017 | $50.00 | Go get em' Carolyn!! Incredibly inspiring ride that you are going to absolutely crush! | Amanda and Mark Harmeling | 11/20/2016 | $250.00 | Linda and Dutch Harmeling | 11/19/2016 | $50.00 | We are pleased to support this effort and cause - and so very proud of you, Carolyn. | Betty Tomback | 11/19/2016 | $10.00 | This is a great cause! I am more than happy to donate to such a great cause! I hope you raise enough money! | DJ & Court HarmFarm | 11/17/2016 | $50.00 | As your father always say, "You da man!" Thank you & we love you! Can't wait to see you in SD! | Casey McQuillen | 11/16/2016 | $50.00 | So proud of you, this is such an intense undertaking and such a generous way to contribute your effort and time to a cause you believe in. Best of luck! Love you! | Hope Benne | 11/15/2016 | $100.00 | Heartfelt thanks for riding for this wonderful cause. | Sheila & Jim Nelson | 11/14/2016 | $100.00 | YOU are an inspiration! Love, The Nelson-Bratton Family | Carolyn Harmeling | 08/07/2016 | $100.00 |
Total | $6,550.00 |