Jacob King is a Junior at  University of Nebraska-Lincoln In the summer of 2019, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to Seattle, WA, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Even with a history of cancer scattered throughout my family, one teenager’s cancer fight has impacted me more profoundly than all the rest. A high school classmate of mine was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at just fifteen. Now 21, after a dozen surgeries and numerous rounds of chemo, he is a healthy collegiate golfer. Through it all, his vibrant smile and uncanny perseverance never failed to show through. Few people have not been exposed to the pain and grief cancer brings into our lives, but what has impacted me most is seeing cancer warriors’ never ending positivity and ability to bring people together.

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

I am riding for my mother and two grandmothers. This is also part of a bigger goal: to become the first person to hike, bike, and canoe across the country on three separate trips. This is the perfect opportunity to not only complete one part of this goal but to also be inspired for future endeavors. I anticipate the stories of cancer patients and fellow riders alike motivating me to push through adversity in my own life. Most importantly, I am riding to make a difference in the universal battle against cancer.

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!