Jean Coyle is a senior at Loyola University Maryland. In the summer of 2017 she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49 day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD to raise funds and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. 

What is your connection to the cancer community?

O.W. Holmes has a quote that reads ‘A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it’s old dimensions.’ This quote truly describes my experience with the 4K two summers ago when I completed the ride from Baltimore to Seattle. Before this experience I had various connections throughout my life to the cancer community. I had a teacher who I was close with pass away, a very close friend's family was affected and the list continues. However, after the summer of 2015 my connection grew immensely. My connection is and always will be all of the families and people I met along the way, all the people who told me their story as well as my team Seattle 2015 who all have their own connections. This summer will be for all of them, it will be for every person I met who has been affected by cancer as well as for my team Seattle 2015.  

However, in particular, this summer is for a woman who I have not known for that long, but who has made an incredible impact on my life. This person is a very close friend of my mom. This person is an inspiration to all people and someone who is so incredibly strong, so strong that when you are in her presence you are always amazed and energized by her energy.

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

This summer I am traveling 4,000 miles to demonstrate that no one who is affected by cancer is doing it alone, that they always have a support system that they can fall back on and depend on. I also dedicate my summer to a very close family friend, Lisa. I have only known Lisa for the past 5 years, but every time I see her I am forever amazed and inspired. Lisa has been battling cancer for a little bit now, however, she continues to run and be an extremely active person. I actually met Lisa through a running group in my hometown called Can’t Is Not An Option, so I find it very fitting to be running across the country this summer in her honor.

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!