Heather Sartwell is a student at Penn Foster. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco, CA raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I currently work as a veterinary nurse in a practice that specializes in internal medicine and oncology. Every day I help diagnose and treat furry family members with cancer. I have also lost my own dog to cancer. 

Both of my grandfathers also passed away after long battles with cancer. My paternal grandfather lost his battle with prostate cancer after 10 years and my maternal grandfather lost his battle with leukemia, about 7 years after being diagnosed with melanoma. 

Fortunately, my “adopted” aunt who had previously been diagnosed with breast cancer won her battle and spends her days living life to the fullest! 

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Foundation?

I truly believe that there are mountains and hurdles that you choose, and that there are obstacles that choose you. My biggest mountain thus far has honestly been my dog’s battle with cancer. In early 2017, my dog was diagnosed with mast cell tumors. I put her through surgery, but two weeks post-op we found more tumors. Shortly before I applied for 4K, I let her go due to the size of the tumors. Every single day that she was with me she showed me more love and happiness than I have ever known. But when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it’s almost like the whole family has cancer. It’s always in the back of your mind. However, up until her last day, she truly showed me how to live. She is my inspiration. Because of this, even though I am still healing from her loss, I know that cancer is a mountain we tackled together. 

 In 2019, I will be riding for those who have lost their family members to cancer, and to raise funds to hopefully help us to wipe out cancer one day. I will ride for those who have been given one of the most grueling mountains to climb. I am choosing new, literal mountains to help others know that together, we can move mountains. 

2019 marks the 18th 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 Foundation (Ulman). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner a at www.4kforcancer.org! 

CHALLENGE:

Over 72,000 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:

Ulman Foundation changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, Ulman 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.

Ulman House - This year Ulman will open 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!