Emma Sanning is a sophomore at Furman University. In the summer of 2018, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49 day, 4,000+ mile run from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD to raise funds and awareness for The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. 

What is your connection to the cancer community? 

Growing up, I heard hushed stories of distant relatives and friends-of-friends that had been diagnosed with cancer. I signed letters, sent flowers, and thought of these circumstances but it was hard to imagine the hardships they were enduring. Cancer seemed distant, something that could not touch my immediate family and close friends. In December of 2016, I was studying for my first round of college exams when my appendix ruptured. When I was finally allowed to return home, the doctors called and told me that they found a carcinoid tumor on my appendix and colon. The next six months saw many appointments, scans, another surgery and lots of hugs from friends and family. Two years before, my dad was also diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor on his appendix. Together, we were thrown into a whole new world of awkward conversations, medical lingo and constant reassurance. I am so lucky and thankful to say that my dad and I are now cancer free. But my fight against cancer is not over. In fact, it just got a lot more real.

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

I am traveling 4,000 miles because I want to join a community focused on fighting cancer. Cancer is a hard topic to discuss at any age and there are few resources for young adults to express their emotions, pain, and experiences. I plan to use my experience of diagnosis and treatment as a way to initiate honest conversations not only in my community but across the country. I am running for those who have fought cancer. I am running for those who fight cancer. I am running for those who will fight cancer. I am running for their families. I am running for their friends. Most importantly, I am running for the future of NO one facing 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!