Chen Lu is a Graduate of Mount Holyoke College. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to Seattle, WA raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I am a research technician at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. My daily work ranges from using advanced imaging techniques to elucidate the mechanisms of cancer biology to analyzing clinical trial data to study the effectiveness of novel chemotherapeutics. In addition to studying cancer in a lab setting, I shadow oncologists in the clinic and during inpatient rounds. Outside of work, I volunteer for the Adaptive Sports Program at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. As a volunteer for the program, I work with various patients, some of whom are cancer survivors. Through these experiences, I saw how cancer takes a toll on the lives of patients and their families, and how many of them stay strong and hopeful in the face of cancer. With 4K for Cancer, I hope to make a more direct connection with cancer patients and their families by being their advocate and sharing their stories with a greater community.

One of my fellow college student athletes, Mika, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, an extremely rare cancer type. Even though Mika and I were never close friends in college, I have been following her story and constantly inspired by her resilience. A stellar horseback rider, she was diagnosed with cancer in her junior year of college. I loved seeing her radiant smile and her loving family on social media, despite chemo-induced pain and the emotional strain. She remained positive and did not let cancer stop her from living her dream. She finished her college education on time while going through her cancer treatments, she helped her team win ribbons by giving tips over phone conversation, and she cared for her college friends by planning for them surprise parties despite being hundreds of miles away. She lost one leg to cancer, but she never gave up. Always striving for "exceptional", not just "good", she switched her goal from the Olympics to the Paralympics, got back on the saddle, and won the National Championship. However, she recently passed away. I will always remember how positive and strong Mika was in her battle against cancer. Through 4K for Cancer, I hope to learn and share more stories like Mika’s, and contribute my efforts to help creating and maintaining a community of support for cancer patients and families. I will ride for Mika. #RideForMika

Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Foundation?

I am a cancer researcher by profession, a traveler by nature, a bicycle nomad at heart. Having worked in a cancer research lab for over two years now, I have always wanted to make a more direct impact on cancer patients. Separately, I have been thinking about traveling across the country for a long time, and doing it on a bike is the best way to do it! Biking is empowering and environmentally friendly, and it allows me to be close to local culture. I love biking in the Northeast. You can oftentimes find me bike touring in Eastern Massachusetts. 4K for Cancer is a great opportunity that combines all my current passions. I will have the opportunity to be cancer patients’ advocate and achieve my dream of biking across the country, while being surrounded by a team of supportive individuals in the process.

Follow my trip on Strava and Polarsteps:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/36402318 
https://www.polarsteps.com/ChenLu5/1682482-chens-4k-for-cancer

2019 marks the 18th 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 Foundation (Ulman). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner a at www.4kforcancer.org! 

CHALLENGE:

Over 72,000 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:

Ulman Foundation changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, Ulman 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.

Ulman House - This year Ulman will open 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!