Kelly Rugel graduated from the University of Maryland. 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 to raise funds and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. 

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I feel as if everyone is connected to the cancer community in some way and I am no exception. Family members, friends, and even acquaintances of mine have either had cancer or have been directly affected by it. Two of my grandparents have had cancer, the siblings of my friends and family friends have passed, and even some of the people I met over the summers as a kid at camps and vacations have grown up and had to battle, and have luckily beat, cancer. My biggest connection is through one of my best friends who beat cancer as a child and has studied to be a nurse. It is through her that I grew up hearing about a summer camp for kids who have fought and are currently fighting cancer. I have been around while those close to me have suffered losses and I have attended events in which my various communities have raised money for several organizations fighting cancer. I have always been connected to cancer growing up and I want each person to be as far removed from cancer as possible.

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

I am running 4,000 miles for all of those who will never get the chance. I am running to make a difference in the lives of people that I know, will be friends with in the future, and perhaps never get the chance to meet. I want to help make an impact on other people's lives through raising money and spreading awareness. I am excited to go on this life changing journey.

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!