Divya Kameti is a junior at  University of California San Diego. In the summer of 2018, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to New York, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

When I was a young girl my grandfather went to go see the doctor for what seemed to be a simple fever. The doctors noticed a small mass growing in his left shoulder and decided to send a sample of it to the lab even though my grandfather dismissed it as not causing him any pain. Although he recovered from the fever, the doctors discovered that the cyst was cancerous and immediately began chemotherapy. This unexpected news had left my family both speechless and in tears. He fought hard through a painful year and ten months before the doctors noticed that the cancer had spread throughout his legs as a form of bone cancer. They suggested that he spend his final days at home in the comfort of family and loved ones. As his first grandchild, my grandfather holds a special place in my heart. My grandmother has lived with my family ever since his passing, and I’ve gotten to experience his love through her and the influence she has had on me.

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

I am traveling over 4,000 miles this summer because I want to be part of a cause that is greater than myself. I can only imagine the sort of pain and suffering that cancer inflicts on those diagnosed, but running with the 4k is a way to empathize with those who face this disease with strength and courage. I hope to inspire others to wake up every morning expecting to make the most out of every day and to live a healthy and happy life. By battling against my own body as I run from coast to coast, I wish to influence others to also join the fight against cancer. I feel so honored to have been selected to be a part of the 4k organization, and there are no words to describe how excited I am to embark on my journey this summer!

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!