Joshua Dillon is a freshman at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. In the summer of 2019, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Boston, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

My family has been deeply impacted by the cancer community through the loss of my grandmother. She was the family matriarch, and the glue that kept us together as a whole! An absolutely amazing woman in every respect, I cherish my memories of her and appreciate her every day I see her photos. She passed when I was in high school from cancer. I loved her deeply and dearly, and it's my earnest hope to see myself grow from this experience provided to me by the UCF.

Within my personal life, a few of my friends are either battling or have battled cancer. I continue to dedicate every moment of this event to their success in living through what many consider the worst illness you can possibly get. It's not a losing battle, but I know it's hard for those affected by it to lose hope. I continue to appreciate the fact that those friends are in my life and have lived that experience of battling such a horrible illness. They are role models to me, and should continue to be to those around them.

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

This, I believe, will be a life-changing experience. Something worth never passing up. It's a part of me to never really pass up an opportunity that gives us the ability to grow as a person. Forward progress in all aspects of my life, to include my character development, is my goal.

Besides the mere love of adventure I have in myself, I want to grow closer to a community I feel I know little to nothing of. My hopes are to serve those impacted by this illness in any way possible. I wish to dedicate each mile that I run to those I've lost or those who have experienced loss due to 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!