Kate Schmidt is a graduate of Salisbury University. 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. 

 What is your connection to the cancer community?

Cancer touches the lives of so many, and everyone has a story of someone they know and love who has battled cancer during their lifetime. 

Over the last seven years I have lost two grandparents to cancer. Losing family and friends is never easy, however, watching someone you love fight day by day is the unimaginable. When you lose someone that close to you, and you know, there was nothing you could do to stop the disease from spreading, it makes you want to do anything to help. Both times I was able to see the effect cancer has on a family, and the strength needed to support one another through a time of grief. These interactions and connections have motivated me to raise awareness and fight for those who cannot always fight today. 

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

I want to challenge myself to gain a greater perspective of what it means to fight day by day. Many young adults with cancer are fighting for their next day daily. I want to experience being pushed and having to focus on getting through the next moment, the next step, the next mile. Through this journey, I am also looking to spread and build awareness for all those who are fighting their own battles, while influencing all those around me to  help. Cancer affects so many people nationwide, and I want to be part of a movement to support, motivate, and encourage not only my team, but survivors, warriors, and anyone else touched by cancer. 

I look forward to meeting and interacting with so many touched by cancer. Listening to their stories, challenges, hopes, and miracles they have experienced throughout their journey.

 I hope you will join me as well as I make my way across the country. See you at the finish line! 

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!