Heather Mullen is a graduate at Cornell 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 to Boston raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Like most, I don't have just one connection to cancer. My father is a survivor of malignant melanoma, my uncle has been fighting lung cancer, and a family friend recently lost his battle to testicular choriocarcinoma. For the past five summers, I have volunteered for a camp designed specifically for children with cancer and related blood disorders. These are just a few of my connections to the cancer community, but the web moves outward as I include more relatives and friends. Seeing the effects of illness on the people I've known battling cancer is heartbreaking, yet their adversity in a time of hardship is inspiring. I have the gift of knowing several survivors but I have also known many who lost their battle. While I will never be able to take away illness from someone fighting cancer, I can only hope that I can be a change agent by making strides against cancer via the 4k for Cancer.

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

The 4k combines two of my passions- running and improving the lives of those battling cancer. I've always enjoyed running because it has been my time to think and embrace the world around me. I am so grateful to have the everyday opportunity to simply run, especially knowing how many people do not have that opportunity. By participating in the 4k, my runs would have greater meaning as I will be running for those who cannot. I want to inspire those around me, and show that anyone can have an impact on their community. By running across the country, I will not only be raising money for an excellent cause, but I will also be raising awareness about how important it is to recognize that cancer affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

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!