Elizabeth Pearson is a junior at Slippery Rock University. 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 City, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community? 

I have had family members in the past get cancer and won the battle but last year in 2016 I lost my aunt/best friend to stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. I have been greatly impacted after watching my aunt fight long and hard for her life. It has given me a drive to not only support my family after her passing but to also be their for other families.

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

I am traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Aunts for a couple of reason. I want to be able to give back to all those people out their fighting for their life. They are truly inspirational to me. I want to help young adults with cancer to not have to worry about how they are going to pay their bills or afford college. I want them to know that they have a support system out here offering our talents to help bring awareness to young adults with cancer and to let them know that we are out here praying for them and fighting with them against cancer as much as we can. I also would love to honor my Aunt on my ride for her strong fight in her battle.

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!