In the summer of 2018, Leslie Lawrence will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to New York City, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

One of my first jobs in the nursing field was a hospice nurse. There were patients of every different age, ethnicity, social and economic background. Cancer is a disease that does not discriminate. When I was a child my grandfather passed away from cancer and as an adolescent I lost 2 close friends to cancer. In high school I learned that my favorite teacher had once beat cancer and in college I had a lab partner graduate while fighting her fight with cancer. I run for my loved ones as well as any one else’s.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

Cancer is a disease that should bring everybody together. I chose to run 4,000 miles this summer the the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults to run in solidarity with those who have been diagnosed with cancer. No one should have to fight cancer 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!