Garrett Parker is a sophomore at the California Maritime Academy. In the summer of 2017, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to Portland, Oregon, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

While cancer hasn’t affected anyone in my direct family, I have seen and felt the way that cancer has affected my community. One of my mother’s closest friends fought and beat cancer while I was a child, a classmate of mine fought and beat cancer after leaving for college. Even recently, one of my closest friends’ dad was diagnosed with cancer in the last few weeks. So, while I may not have any connection in my direct family, I yearn to fight for survivors and fight against the illness which has so severely affected those I care about.

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

I want to be a part of this team in the hopes that one day our work will pay off and others will no longer have to suffer from cancer. Throughout my life I have been lucky enough to never suffer from any serious illness, which is a gift I do not plan on taking for granted. While there are other ways to get involved, my passions and best skills in life have always revolved around two wheels, so I believe this is my most effective way of bringing about awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund and cancer fighters around the world. Though I have done advocacy work and events for other illnesses and causes, this will be my first time working directly with the cancer community- an opportunity I’ve eagerly awaited and very much look forward to.

2017 marks the 16th 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 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!