Dustin Query is a graduate of DePauw 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 Portland, OR raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I am connected to the cancer community via family, friends, and my original 4K experience in 2015. To begin with, each of my 4 grandparents battled cancer during their lives. I witnessed my parents struggling emotionally with this, and their loyalty to family as well as their unconditional love was demonstrated in the time and energy they put towards comforting and supporting their own parents. Moreover, a close friend of mine had his Mom pass away during finals week of freshman year. Without ever a complaint, he moved forward with his life, giving more importance to the well-being of others than he ever did in seeking sympathy or personal comfort. Finally, back to my childhood days, I was affected greatly by the passing of a vibrant, brilliant, and soulful woman who taught me the importance of humor and spirituality on a brand new level. Her name was Joanne Wagner, and she is another significant reason I have ties to the cancer community.

Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

I am traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Gilman Cancer Fund for Young Adults because it is of significance to be able to inspire any one person in this world. It is of significance to serve, in my opinion, because this affords us the opportunity to give back to those who inspire us, to support those that need supported, and to give of ourselves to something that brings us together as a community. Traveling 4,000 miles creating platonic friendships may seem like a vacation to some, and it is in the sense that we have inordinate amounts of freedom to explore, to learn, and to adventure. More importantly, however, is that this program spreads awareness in incredibly effective ways, and it unites. We are pulled together by the calling to represent the organization, our loved ones we are riding for, and our teammates, and this inextricably links us. To me, this is the essence of a life well lived and the main reasons why I am participating in 4K for Cancer.

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!