Iwona Morawska is a graduate of Loyola University in Chicago. 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? 

My connection with cancer begins before I was even born. My grandfather died a year prior to my birth due to an aggressive case of lung cancer. Whenever I’m passionate about something, stubborn, or even make a certain face, relatives always comment on how alike my grandfather and my personalities are. I try to honor that resemblance everyday by being the best person I can be.

My connection continues on with my former high school teacher. Even before I had her for English, I knew she was a special teacher from word of mouth. Whenever students talked about her it was only incredible things. You can tell that she cared deeply for the students that were in her class. When I was lucky enough to have her my junior year, I got to experience the compassion that I’ve heard about. In the year I’ve had her she made me a better writer, a critical thinker, and a better young adult. And when she passed, her impact only increased. She made our high school a better place to learn and be at in general. Even though it’s been almost 4 years, she is still missed deeply to this day. 

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

Ever since an ad about 4K for Cancer popped up on my Facebook feed my freshman year of college, I’ve dreamed of having the courage to do this. Now that I am a lot more confident in my abilities, I thought it was time to fulfill this dream. When reading more about the Ulman Cancer Fund, I thought it was a fantastic opportunity to better educate myself on the topic of cancer and even help educate other people. It is also an incredible way to honor those who we have lost due to cancer and raise money to end this disease once and for all.

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!