Lizzy Payne is a freshman at  Saint Louis University. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Boston, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Growing up I heard the terrible news far too often that someone had cancer. I’ve seen friends and family fight the exhausting battle over and over. After each time I wished for the opportunity to help these people. I wanted the horrifying, recurring news to no longer be something that people found out about all the time. I needed to find a way to somehow make a difference in the lives of these people who struggle everyday. This passion ultimately led to my decision to major in nutrition and dietetics to become a registered dietitian with a focus on cancer patients. In doing so I would be able to assist the patients on how to combat the side effects of chemotherapy and help boost the immune system. However, I thought why wait until I graduate college to begin helping cancer patients, I need to start now.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Foundation?

I’ve always felt a sort of draw towards helping people in need. When I began running about five years ago I struggled immensely. In fact, I still remember the first time I was able to run a whole 5K without taking a break. But what I remember even more is the hard work and sweat I put to be able to run the pace and the distance that I can now. I don’t want all of that hard work to be wasted. I want to do something with it. I want to make a difference. I can’t even imagine how amazing it would feel to be able to put my two passions of running and serving others together. I believe I was given the ability to run miles on miles for a reason, and Run Across America is my reason.

2019 marks the 18th 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 Foundation (Ulman). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner a at www.4kforcancer.org! 

CHALLENGE:

Over 72,000 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:

Ulman Foundation changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, Ulman 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.

Ulman House - This year Ulman will open 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!