Kinsey Manchester is a senior at the University of Maryland. In the summer of 2018 she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49 day, 4,000+ mile run from San Francisco to Baltimore raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I wasn't truly aware of how many connections I had to the cancer community until I did the 4K in 2016. I ran mostly in honor of my maternal grandmother, who died when I was very young, and my sister's good friend Alanna, who passed away when she was 13. Their losses were particularly hard on me and my family. However, when I reached out to my donors to ask for names of people to run for, I realized just how many people I know who have been touched by cancer. I have a lot of connections to the cancer community, including family members, friends, and then extended friends and family. I will be running for all of these people again. But now, my biggest and most important connection to the cancer community is Steven Hensle, who would've done the 4K with us if he hadn't been fighting brain cancer. He passed away this summer, and he was one of us. He is one of the main reasons I want to do the 4K again. As horrible as cancer is, cancer is also something that connects us all, because it affects not only those who have cancer, but also their loved ones and friends. It provides a wonderful platform to bring people together, regardless of any demographic, which is why I love the concept of the 4K so much.

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

I am traveling across the country with the 4K for Cancer again because there are so many people that cannot. Steven was not able to run, but I am. I also want to bring hope and support to those who are fighting, and I want to inspire and be inspired in return by the stories of the incredible people we meet along the way. I want to show those who are fighting that I am fighting alongside them, and I want to bring awareness to a cause as important to me as the Ulman Cancer Fund. Running across the country will be challenging both mentally and physically, just like a battle with cancer is, but I know that I can make a difference in many lives by participating in the 4K. I also want to run again because my first 4K was one of the most incredible experiences that I have ever had. The atmosphere of the 4K was always uplifting and motivational, and I look forward to being a part of such another amazing team of people. Thank you in advance for helping me complete this incredible journey again!

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!