Davis Nossaman is a senior at Harding 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, MD to Seattle, WA raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

My connection to the cancer community starts with my family. Three of my great-grandparents were diagnosed with some form of the disease, leading to their passing before I was old enough to remember them. Other close relatives have experienced near-misses—having precancerous cells removed before their spread.

I have also seen some others that I am close to face the effects of cancer. Nita, the wife of a mentor of mine passed away after a long struggle with breast cancer. It was difficult to watch a man that I respect deeply struggle during his wife’s treatment and mourn after her passing.

We all know people that have overcome, continue to fight, or lost their lives to cancer. And wherever cancer is, pain exists—both physical pain for the patient and emotional pain for their families and friends. Witnessing this pain firsthand is the primary reason why I have decided to pursue a career in Biomedical Engineering. Through my career, I desire to develop medical devices that make surgeries and treatment methods less debilitating and more effective in an attempt to alleviate some of the pain felt by deadly diseases such as cancer.
 

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

First and foremost, I am thrilled to be blessed with such an incredible platform to benefit the medical community. I am excited to see the $5000 (or more hopefully!) we raise impact the cancer community in the form of scholarships, care packages, patient support groups, etc.. It will be particularly special to see these impacts firsthand as we stop by hospitals and meet people face-to-face along our journey. Secondly, I’m STOKED for the adventure involved with pedaling from coast-to-coast. I am excited to make new friends and be encouraged by them as we take on this adventure of a lifetime together.

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!