David Deisadze is a senior at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 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, MD to San Francisco, CA, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

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

I want to ride the 4000 miles for the legacy of my grandma, Nana. Through this program I have a chance to help patients diagnose and treat brain cancer like my grandma's or any other cancer early on, so that it can be treated. Bringing hope and positive energy to the patients and cancer centers we will visit will be a huge contribution to the cancer community. I love staying active and I am adventurous, so I feel that this event is my calling to help our cancer community as well as continue the legacy of our loved ones. After seeing an ad on Facebook about bike across America, it reminded me of the excitement I had for the organization after solving basic math problems about biking distance in my 4th grade math textbook. That recollection is one of the reasons I want to be a rider: to take on a childhood challenge.

What is your connecton to the cancer community?

My Grandma, Nana, who practically raised me until I was 8 was diagnosed with brain cancer. By the time she was diagnosed, it was too late, and the cancer was found to be malignant. Unfortunately, she passed away months later in 2008. The influence my grandma had on me will always keep me close with the cancer community and I’d like to contribute and carry on her legacy. Another personal connection to the cancer community is my sister, Maria who was a floating nurse at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Her stories about the sad departure of cancer patients from their families touched me deeply and reminded me of my connection with my grandma.

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!