Jessica Beck is a master's student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. 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 to Seattle, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
This past summer I got a phone call from my dad that the mass in my grandpa's liver was a metastasized tumor. The doctors estimated he had until mid fall. I was in Japan at the time, and as I sat on the steps of a temple later that day, unable to hold back tears and surrounded by confused locals, I struggled to reconcile with the sudden realization that I seemingly had very few opportunities left to visit with him. I was frustrated that I'd spent so many years taking visits for granted and rushed to book a flight to add an extra visit in early September, before the fall semester got busy. Miraculously, since then there's been little change, and I'm beyond blessed that we got to spend Christmas together. Even supposedly sure things are still very much up to chance. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. The Ulman Foundation recognizes that and provides an awesome opportunity to give back and help those who've gotten the short end of the stick.
Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Foundation?
The timing of this is very important to me. I want to honor my grandpa with something beneficial so that I can turn my sadness into something positive. I'm pushing myself to make this trip because I believe that everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, and it's up to all of us to inspire each other by constantly seeking something more. I'm beyond excited to be a part of the Ulman Cancer Fund, to do my part in the collective fight against cancer, and to meet other compassionate people dedicated to making a difference.
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!
Supporters | |||
Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
Colts Neck Reformed Church | 08/19/2019 | $500.00 | We are grateful for your commitment and your compassion. Way to go! God bless you. | Kristi Beck | 08/09/2019 | $50.00 | What a journey! <3 <3 <3 | Yvonne Beck | 08/05/2019 | $400.00 | Thank you for honoring Grandpa as we navigate our way through this journey following his cancer diagnosis. We are so very proud of you! Love Grandma and Grandpa Beck | Glenn Breda | 07/19/2019 | $43.21 | SDB 60th | Jessica Beck | 07/14/2019 | $76.00 | Sweatshirt sale | Kenneth Glossbrenner | 07/14/2019 | $600.00 | The further you go, the more impressive it seems to me. For my part, I'm now at more than 25 cents a mile. With every mile for you another quarter in their pockets. (Let's just say you caught me at a good time.) | Stephen D Breda | 07/07/2019 | $200.00 | Glenn Breda | 07/01/2019 | $101.00 | Keep going Strong Jess! UG | Anonymous Friend | 06/27/2019 | $7.00 | Saw on IndigoTraveler page! | Glenn Breda | 06/27/2019 | $21.00 | Keep going strong Jess! UG | Anthony Yang | 06/09/2019 | $50.00 | Jess, this is a truly admirable and inspirational undertaking! I hope the tour goes well. | Anne Beck McLee | 06/06/2019 | $25.00 | Good luck Jessica! | Diane Mannion | 05/21/2019 | $20.00 | Jessica Beck | 05/21/2019 | $181.00 | Bramley Maber | 05/13/2019 | $200.00 | We wish you all the best with your participation in this great cause! Have a safe trip. We look forward to hearing about your adventure. The Maber Family | Douglas Riccardi | 05/12/2019 | $100.00 | Jess: I’m blown away that you’re doing this. You’ll have a great summer – for a great cause. | The United Methodist Church of Red Bank | 04/28/2019 | $100.00 | Jeff Williams | 04/28/2019 | $100.00 | Good luck! | Bonfire | 04/09/2019 | $22.00 | Anonymous Friend | 04/03/2019 | $20.00 | Oyita Udiani | 03/28/2019 | $100.00 | Jane B Schildge | 03/24/2019 | $100.00 | Clare Resnick | 03/22/2019 | $50.00 | May this journey be a very special experience for you and your teammates. | Ann Cooley | 03/22/2019 | $50.00 | We are so proud of you! | Jen Kahi | 03/21/2019 | $20.00 | Good luck Jess! You got this :) | Anonymous Friend | 03/18/2019 | $327.00 | John Walradt | 03/17/2019 | $100.00 | When available, please send me your expected itinerary. I will be traveling by motorhome from NJ to Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington this summer. Maybe our paths could cross! Good luck & fair winds, Jess! | Katie Broughton | 03/17/2019 | $100.00 | This is definitely a great cause Jess. Good luck! | Loreen Beck | 03/16/2019 | $10.00 | Jess, I made a small donation to test out your donation page to make sure the links are working. | Robin & Charlie Foster | 03/15/2019 | $25.00 | Best of Luck and may the wind be at your back. | Janice Geiger | 03/14/2019 | $25.00 | Brave thing you are doing. Good luck to you, Jess. Stay strong. | Andrea D'Souza | 03/14/2019 | $25.00 | :D | Jessica Beck | 03/13/2019 | $20.00 | Cash Donation | AllianceBernstein Matching Gift Program | 03/13/2019 | $50.00 | Richard Oppenheim | 03/12/2019 | $50.00 | Good luck! | Jill Keeney | 03/11/2019 | $100.00 | Go get 'em! Love Aunt Jill and Uncle Marty | Linda Roth | 03/10/2019 | $25.00 | All the best to you. Here's wishing you strength, endurance and fun! | Nina Fefferman | 03/01/2019 | $100.00 | This is an insane thing to do, but it's for the best of causes and you are awesome (and insane) for doing it. | Joel Beck | 02/28/2019 | $200.00 | Julie and I are cheering for you Jess! Our love to you! Joel | Carl Beck | 02/28/2019 | $500.00 | Jessica Beck | 02/25/2019 | $66.41 | Food sales | Doris & Dino Breda | 02/24/2019 | $100.00 | With blessings to our dear granddaughter | Alex Aromin | 02/23/2019 | $25.00 | Anonymous Friend | 02/20/2019 | $25.00 | Jessica..WOW~ What an Amazing commitment.I do not know you, but what a passion ~ you can do it! Bless you and may you find the strength each day to "Ride for Friends with Cancer"!:) a friend in BCMB :) | Anna Hoffman | 02/16/2019 | $20.00 | Good luck! | Stephanie Kors | 02/14/2019 | $20.00 | Proud of you. | Daniel Siksay | 02/14/2019 | $60.00 | If anyone expressed doubts about whether I would donate, then they SPOKE too soon! I'll see myself out. | Drew Purifoy | 02/12/2019 | $20.00 | Alex Gwynn | 02/12/2019 | $50.00 | Jason Harris | 02/12/2019 | $50.00 | Good luck out there | Jessica Beck | 01/29/2019 | $300.00 | Cash donations from family and friends! Thank you!! | Anonymous Friend | 01/10/2019 | $200.00 | Anonymous Friend | 01/07/2019 | $45.00 | Dan Abrams | 01/07/2019 | $25.00 | But like you know how much cardio this is gonna be right? That's a lotta cardio | Anonymous Friend | 01/04/2019 | $23.59 | Randy Brewton | 12/28/2018 | $40.00 | You rock, Jess! | Kristi Beck | 12/27/2018 | $50.00 | Kenneth Glossbrenner | 12/20/2018 | $400.00 | $.10 / mile or $.10 / smile, which | Stephanie Boucher | 12/17/2018 | $50.00 | Alex Cope | 12/17/2018 | $5.00 | Elena Tsvetkova | 12/17/2018 | $5.00 | Amy Lane | 12/17/2018 | $70.00 | One week of awesome socks! | Matthew Tsim | 12/17/2018 | $50.00 | Go Jess!! | Jessica Beck | 12/13/2018 | $100.00 |
Total | $6,593.21 |