Kellen Arnold is a Freshman at The Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering- SUNY Polytechnic Institute. In the summer of 2017, he 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 Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
My connection to the cancer community may not be quite as near as others; I have been extremely fortunate to not lose an immediate family member to cancer. However, I have noticed its effects on family and friends alike. One of my father’s best friends passed of cancer several years ago; they had hiked together for years and then suddenly they couldn’t. A family friend’s sister passed of breast cancer several years ago as well, leaving a husband and two children. A girl in my school district fell ill with leukemia, twice. She won the fight both times, but it took so much of her youth from her. I feel a connection to all who are affected because it happens so suddenly and so swiftly. With more awareness comes more research and then more technology that can hopefully lead to an improvement in treatments or even the roadmap to creating a cure.
Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
I want to be a rider for 4K because of my cousin, Ashley Arnold, who is a 4k alum from two years ago. I was present in Portland when her team finished up the last few days of their trip; their comradery, positivity, and passion for the cause was outstanding and inspiring. Ashley’s drive for raising awareness for cancer, which she has demonstrated both by riding and working for the organization led me to share that sentiment and hope to make a similar impact in the cancer community. Similar to the ALS Ice bucket challenge, the best way to raise awareness for a cause is through action. 4,000 miles on a bike takes an extraordinary effort, and extraordinary efforts will grab the attention of as many people as possible.
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!
Supporters | |||
Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
Timothy Cleworth | 10/10/2017 | $29.18 | Great work for a great cause! | Jimmy Saddlemire | 08/18/2017 | $200.00 | You will do anything to keep the old man from dragging you along to repair leanto's. | Bob Moore | 08/17/2017 | $40.00 | Great Job by a fine group of young men & women | George Sloan | 07/29/2017 | $100.00 | Kellen - thanks for caring, from Suzanne and George | Deborah Brown | 07/24/2017 | $25.00 | GREAT JOB!!! | A+ Excavating, INC | 07/24/2017 | $200.00 | Michael Douglas | 07/24/2017 | $50.00 | Ray Cudney | 07/20/2017 | $100.00 | awesome! | Mark and Kathy Simpson | 07/19/2017 | $50.00 | Thomas Schneider | 07/06/2017 | $150.00 | Steven Manson | 07/01/2017 | $25.00 | Nice to meet you today at the grocery store in LaCrosse. I am a physician and have seen the ravaging effects of cancer. Keep up the great work! | Suzanne Olson | 06/30/2017 | $40.00 | Exciting cause! | Bill Reitzel | 06/18/2017 | $40.00 | Good luck. Safe trip. | Nancie Battaglia | 06/17/2017 | $50.00 | Sam Eddy | 06/05/2017 | $25.00 | Good Luck in your adventure. I'm proud of you. | JOHN CASE | 06/05/2017 | $100.00 | May the wind be at your back. | Jody Frawley | 05/29/2017 | $25.00 | JOHN WHITE | 05/26/2017 | $50.00 | Dickover Chancey | 05/24/2017 | $50.00 | You got this! We are very proud of you :-) | Bob Hunter | 05/22/2017 | $50.00 | Deborah Brown | 05/20/2017 | $25.00 | You are a Hero! | Janet Arnold | 05/15/2017 | $300.00 | Kenneth J Burdick | 05/14/2017 | $30.00 | Tim McGuire | 05/13/2017 | $20.00 | For Kellen Arnold's fundraising effort | Theresa Clark-Switzer | 05/12/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck Kellen! | Anonymous Friend | 05/12/2017 | $100.00 | Bradley Arnold | 05/02/2017 | $300.00 | Be safe! | Blaze Pizza | 03/27/2017 | $100.00 | Jeanne Vinal | 03/23/2017 | $50.82 | This is for your Mom, my friend from high school. Good luck, have fun, and come home safe. | Richard F Schaefer | 03/12/2017 | $100.00 | Michael A Mammolito | 01/30/2017 | $250.00 | This is a great thing that you are doing! Enjoy-Gino rode this route last summer. | Anonymous Friend | 01/30/2017 | $100.00 | Happy Trails! THANK YOU for doing this. | Martin Huth | 01/27/2017 | $100.00 | Extremely proud of you, Kellen. I will pray for the success of your journey. Press on and don't stop! | Hugh Duffy | 01/25/2017 | $25.00 | Jim Barnshaw | 01/25/2017 | $100.00 | Great work and have a great time. | J. C. Smith, INC | 01/25/2017 | $100.00 | Robert Schaefer | 01/16/2017 | $200.00 | GO KELLEN: Kick Cancers Ass!! | Jeff Sherman | 01/09/2017 | $200.00 | Jeff Perkins | 01/08/2017 | $100.00 | thanks for raising money for cancer enjoy the ride. | Fran Lowther | 01/04/2017 | $100.00 | Good Luck! | Grace Arnold | 12/25/2016 | $100.00 | Merry Christmas. Have fun! | Ned Reagan | 12/23/2016 | $100.00 | Best of luck to you | Tom Summit Envir Strong | 12/18/2016 | $200.00 | Best of luck | Neoplanta Restoration INC | 12/15/2016 | $100.00 | Michael Douglass | 12/15/2016 | $100.00 | Welch Construction Inc. | 12/13/2016 | $500.00 | Here’s to wishing you the best of luck on your next journey. | Kara Tucker | 12/13/2016 | $50.00 | Katherine T Arnold | 12/12/2016 | $300.00 | Awesome endeavor. We are proud parents. | Ridley Electric Co, INC | 12/12/2016 | $200.00 | Eric Burnham | 12/09/2016 | $200.00 | Janet Arnold | 12/02/2016 | $200.00 | Anonymous Friend | 11/13/2016 | $50.00 | Thank you to Samuel Skriloff | Ashley Arnold | 11/08/2016 | $50.00 | Proud of you :) | Kellen Arnold | 11/06/2016 | $100.00 |
Total | $6,000.00 |