David Gibbs is a sophomore at Cedarville University. In the summer of 2018, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Baltimore, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Recently, I lost a very close friend of mine to cancer. His passing opened my eyes to many of the challenges that face cancer patients. I am traveling 4,000 miles this summer to help bring awareness and to help raise funds to support research and scholarships for cancer patients and their families. I view this 4,000 mile journey as the perfect opportunity to take action for this cause.

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

Although I am not personally related to anyone who has fought cancer, I have had a variety of connections to the cancer community throughout my life, and I believe this is true of many individuals. Regardless of your connection to the cancer community, I hope that you will embrace the goal of the Ulman Cancer fund that “no patient face cancer alone” and take steps to support this cause. Many important people to me have fought cancer some losing all. I am running this summer to remember them with the goal that no one will ever face cancer alone, and ultimately the goal that no one will EVER face cancer again. Cancer research is foundational to ensuring that patients are given the best chance to fight cancer, but cancer research is impossible without funding.

Key to successful funding is successful raising of awareness of the pressing issues. By combining my passion for running, this opportunity to run across the country to raise awareness and funds for the Ulman Cancer Fund is an excellent opportunity to aid in supporting this cause. Over the summer I will run across the country, and when I am not running, the team and I will be encouraging patients in cancer clinics and delivering educational sessions to aid in raising awareness within communities across the United States. I hope that you will commit to take action and join this fight against the struggles that young cancer patients and their families face every day. Whether you donate financially, host a bone marrow drive, or commit to pray for this cause, anything done to help raise awareness and support for these cancer patients and their families will help!

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!