Cory Henderson is a senior at Central Washington University. In the summer of 2018, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to San Francisco, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I’ve had many relatives and family friends who have battled cancer although my closest connection to the cancer community was through my father. My life changed in September of 2014 when my father went in for a routine operation. He had been suffering from stomach pain for months and doctors feared that surgery wasn’t the answer. A week, a few tests, and a biopsy later, my family was informed that my father had only a few weeks to a month left to live. He filled the next six weeks with laughs, love, and compassion. My father taught me the importance of making moments with the ones you love everyday of his life until he passed away on October 24th, 2014.

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

I can’t think of a better tribute to my father’s cancer journey then participating in the 4k for Cancer ride. Through the 4k I can put my thoughts into action and show others how much my father had an impact on me. Although my father’s cancer journey was brief, by connecting with others in the cancer community my eyes were opened to how diverse a cancer diagnosis can impact families. I am choosing to do the 4K again because over 70,000 new young adults have been diagnosed with cancer since I was a part of Team New York in 2016. As I prepare to graduate from college in the spring, I think a lot about many of those 70,000 that are my age and won’t have that opportunity to earn a diploma. Graduating is just one of the many milestones that young adults might not have the opportunity to experience because of a cancer diagnosis.

Some people tell me, “70 days is a long time!” I learned from my father’s diagnosis that it’s a matter of making the most out of the days you are given. If I live till I’m 70 years old (which I hope to surpass), this 70-day trip would account for about .3% of my life. However you think about it, whether 70 days seems too long or .3% seems short, this is an opportunity to help others I can't pass up. The 4k program shows that a small amount of time can have a lasting impact on a community. Young adult cancer patients need as much support as we all can give and the 4k is just the beginning of how I want to show my commitment to helping others.

2018 marks the 17th 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 a 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!