Jillian Fitzner is a graduate student at Daeman College In the summer of 2018, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco, CA, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
Several of my family members have battled cancer over the years. My grandma on my mom’s side was diagnosed with colon cancer when I was in grade school. I remember the obstacles she faced but I was too young to fully understand how to help her. My grandfather on my mom’s side died before I was born from cancer. I never got to spend any time with him and to this day I wish I would have been blessed with time to spend with him. This past year my grandma on my father’s side died from stage 4 lung cancer that eventually spread all over her body. I was fortunate enough to be there for her in the last few month. It was so hard to see the pain she was experiencing but I knew she had a good support system. I was inspired by her strength and courage to go out and help others. I am dedicating this ride across country to her and any other loved one or friend that any of my family or friends have who was or is battling cancer.
Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
Being close to so many people who have been impacted by cancer made me want to reach out to young adults battling cancer. Being able to form connections with people my age all over the USA and hear their stories will help me be a better clinician in the future. Traveling 4,000 miles will allow me to become an advocate and bring awareness to different communities about young adults with cancer. Fundraising money for the Ulman Cancer Fund and riding across the country will allow me to provide support to the young adults and their loved ones. Lastly, this ride will enable me to make a difference while bringing joy and hope to these young adults and make their journey better.
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!
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Jillian Fitzner | 10/31/2018 | $100.00 | Richard P Nassar | 05/21/2018 | $100.00 | Athenex Inc | 05/18/2018 | $400.00 | Harry Dutson | 05/15/2018 | $50.00 | Nature's Remedy Natural Market, LLC | 05/14/2018 | $200.00 | Amy Hulin | 05/14/2018 | $20.00 | So proud of you, girl! | Kelsey Regetz | 05/14/2018 | $10.00 | Margaret Mazzone | 05/14/2018 | $20.00 | Good Luck Jill! | Mary Conroy | 05/12/2018 | $40.00 | Hal Morse | 05/12/2018 | $100.00 | Amanda Borynski | 05/09/2018 | $20.00 | John M Yerico | 05/07/2018 | $100.00 | Be strong!!---You have accomplished a lot- and with blessings. I am a survivor as well. | Alexandra Rosenlund | 04/25/2018 | $300.00 | On behalf of Chloe and Isabel. Good luck Jill! | Maryann Mehs | 04/09/2018 | $20.00 | Casey Sheehan | 04/09/2018 | $25.00 | Amy Walker | 04/09/2018 | $25.00 | Jillian Fitzner | 04/04/2018 | $75.00 | Lynn Knowles | 04/04/2018 | $100.00 | Dan Fitzner | 03/24/2018 | $120.00 | S. Gregory Mackinnon | 03/15/2018 | $100.00 | Christine M Fix | 03/12/2018 | $25.00 | John Wicka | 03/09/2018 | $25.00 | Best wishes for a successful endeavor and God's blessing for strength and endurance. | Margaret Chambers | 03/08/2018 | $25.00 | H. Michael Decker | 03/07/2018 | $50.00 | Mike and Sue Fitzner | 03/06/2018 | $500.00 | Your courageous efforts peddling 4000+ miles is such an inspiration Jill! One mile at a time, you'll be giving hope & impacting young adults battling cancer. Our prayers, love and good thoughts are with you for a safe journey as you cycle through the country. | Mary Rosinski Flanagan | 03/05/2018 | $25.00 | Joseph Rooth | 02/19/2018 | $100.00 | Great work Jillian, wishing you and your family the best | Peter F Gasbarre | 02/15/2018 | $25.00 | Barbara J Marowski | 02/13/2018 | $50.00 | MaryBeth Sukenick | 01/30/2018 | $25.00 | Awesome! Ride safely and post pics! Riding coast to coast was a goal Joshua had... | Debra Bale | 01/30/2018 | $50.00 | Jill: I think this is awesome. You are such a caring and giving person. And giving back to help people that are need is really special. | Harvey J Reed | 01/24/2018 | $50.00 | Denise Clark | 01/23/2018 | $50.00 | Lisa Rood | 12/27/2017 | $20.00 | Mary Pestle | 12/20/2017 | $100.00 | Mary Pestle | 11/26/2017 | $1,000.00 | Anonymous Friend | 10/25/2017 | $200.00 | Donation made on behalf of West Herr Automotive Group | Laurie Walsh | 08/28/2017 | $25.00 | John Magliarditi | 06/09/2017 | $50.00 | Lisa Magliarditi | 05/04/2017 | $50.00 | So proud of you!! | Patricia Suppa | 05/04/2017 | $50.00 | Your helping to save lives, one peddle at a time. | Ashley Karmazyn | 04/28/2017 | $50.00 | Your going to be amazing jilly! I'm so proud of you, and I can't wait to see you succeed!! | Pj Coppola | 04/28/2017 | $50.00 |
| Total | $4,520.00 | ||