In the summer of 2018, Jonathan Reasor will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to Portland, OR, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

My dad and grandpa were both diagnosed with cancer. My dad had skin cancer when I was younger and again when I was in high school. A few years later my grandpa was diagnosed with leukemia.

Both lost a significant amount of weight and as a result had much less energy to do things they enjoyed. Radiation and chemotherapy took their toll on my dad but fortunately he has been in remission the past few years. My grandpa was not as fortunate but was able to live a long and fulfilling 80 years.

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

My grandpa, Robert Dralle, was the main reason I decided to embark on this 4000-mile ride. He was an amazing and inspiring man and I thought that taking part in this journey would be an amazing way to honor him. He was like a father to me and I can confidently say I would not be the man I am today if it wasn’t for him.

Cycling has always been a passion of mine and so has the desire to help others. My dream is to become a doctor one day and I thought there was no better way to combine these two passions of mine than this. It will be both physically and mentally challenging but it will also give me the opportunity to connect with other members within the cancer community. I would have loved to have spoken with either a loved one or a fighter about how it has impacted their life and what they did to get through it. I think it could have added a lot of perspective to my life and the decisions I make, and I think it would be incredibly rewarding to be that person for someone else. Cancer is an extremely tough obstacle to overcome for all parties involved, but it’s the love and support of friends, family, and the community that really makes it manageable. I’m in love with this organization and what it has done over the years and can’t wait to be a part of it!

*If you would like me to dedicate a day to you or a loved one who has faught or is currently fighting cancer please leave the appropriate name in the comments section when making a donation

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!