Cole Altman is a graduate student at Marquette University Law School. In the summer of 2019, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Boston, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Sadly my grandpa is battling prostate cancer as we speak. I have and continue to see the negative impact cancer has had on my family. Additionally, while I was in high school, my "second mom" won a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. These two experiences have both been very difficult on me but have increased my desire to hopefully give back and try to find a way to beat cancer once and for all.

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

Cancer is not something any kid or young adult should ever have to worry about. The only thing they should be worried about is what kind of ice cream flavor to pick or whether the Green Bay Packers are finally going to win another Super Bowl! I am fortunate that my childhood was filled with these kinds of choices and not with the struggles of cancer. I am running 4,000 miles to not only combine my passion for running and community service but to seek inspiration from young adults battling cancer, who don't let cancer stop them from living incredible lives and accomplishing so much!

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!