Jack Gabel is a freshman at the University of South Carolina. In the summer of 2017 he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49 day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco, CA to New York, NY to raise funds and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. 

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I am a friend, a family member, and a student of cancer survivors. I was also the patient of a doctor who saved my life and countless others, but lost her own to this devastating disease. In all my encounters with people suffering from cancer, one thing seems to remain constant for each patient— their electrifying desire to fight their illness. This emergence of the human spirit inspires all those around cancer patients, and it is the reason that I have gravitated towards the cancer community. More specifically, I began my involvement in the fight against cancer four years ago when I became involved in Relay for Life, serving the cancer community and trying to find creative ways to fundraise for the American Cancer Society. I have also seen the cancer community from a different perspective through research experiences, helping scientists searching for potential treatments.

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

The Ulman Cancer Fund’s mission is to provide resources to young adults afflicted by cancer and their family via a supportive community. This cause, offered in this way, resonates with me. I believe that no one, particularly young cancer patients, should have to fight alone. By running across the United States, we will be showing patients we visit along the way that they are a part a larger community, a movement. Hopefully, by bringing the definition of cross-country running to literal terms, our journey will inspire those afflicted by cancer, and return the favor for all the times they have inspired me.

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!