Laura Dziubyk is a senior at Miami University. In the summer of 2018, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to Portland, OR, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Cancer has had a huge impact on my family. Growing up my grandma and grandpa both were unfortunately affected by this illness. My Uncle Bill had hodgkin's lymphoma. My Uncle Mark also suffered from hodgkin's lymphoma only a couple years ago and is 2 years cancer free. My little brother only a few weeks ago was diagnosed with hodgkin's lymphoma as well. My life was greatly affected by this illness creating such a strong passion to work in oncology in my future to give back and help end the suffering mentally and physically with this disease.

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

When my brother was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, I was motivated to do something. Simply giving him and my family a phone call every day to check in was not enough--I wanted to offer more support because he is one of my best friends and not being there when he needs me the most is hard. Traveling 4,000 miles is for Matt. I want to raise awareness and money and dedicate these miles to him. This will be a challenge and days will be hard, but remembering how strong and positive Matt is through this grueling illness will push me to persevere. I also want to travel these 4,000 miles for my two uncles and grandparents. My Uncle Mark influenced my research on cancer and diet. He gave me a book that sparked my interest, and seeing him fight the disease while focusing on nutrition inspired me to study dietetics and relate it to cancer care. I am doing this as support for everyone who is currently or has been affected by cancer. No one is alone.

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!