Logan Lacourt is a sophomore at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In the summer of 2018, he 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?

My connection to the cancer community spans many years. While in high school, my father, Luis Lacourt, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. As a result, my father started a 501(c)(3) called PACS, or Prostate Awareness and Cancer Support. His organization’s focus was on males 30+ years old in Massillon, Ohio. My father’s mission was to help spread awareness of prostate cancer and encourage others to get screened. Every year at Perry High School, which was my alma mater, my father coordinated the prostate cancer awareness football game, or the “light blue-out.” The goal of the game was to increase men’s awareness of the disease and motivate other men to get a screening.

Throughout high school, I helped my father with PACS and this football game itself. To add to that, on my father’s side of the family my grandfather and great-grandfather were both diagnosed with, and battled, prostate cancer. Finally, I’m now a brother in the Sigma Chi Fraternity, the Eta Iota Chapter at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Our philanthropy is the Huntsman Cancer Institute and every year we fundraise for it through Derby Days, which is a series of charity events. Through Derby Days and donations from our families, friends, classmates, professors, and Sigma Chi alumni we raised $20,000 last year. Our motto is “We are the generation to end cancer” and I wholeheartedly believe it.

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

I want to be a rider with 4K for Cancer because I want to be a positive impact on others. Whether it is influencing others to be knowledgeable about cancer or encouraging others to contribute and donate to cancer, I want to help in the fight against cancer. I have grown up healthy and I believe that is a blessing in itself. I work out on a daily basis, whether it is running, lifting, or wrestling. Without physical activity, I don’t know where I would be. It is what helps me stay sane and, quite frankly, I’m addicted to it. I want to be a rider for 4k for Cancer because I want others to be able to enjoy being active like I have. Cancer is a disease that plagues our society and not only stops people from being physically active, but also causes the loss of lives.

There are many other reasons why people want to be a part of this, but I want to be a rider because I want to be a symbol. I want to be a symbol of encouragement to those diagnosed with cancer to continue fighting. I want to be a symbol to those unaffected by cancer who are living life untaxed. I want to open their eyes to the people struggling and battling cancer. Many people in college complain about being late to class or staying up late to finish homework, but there’s people with cancer who would do anything to live the life that they’re living. I want to not only open the eyes of others around me, but also inspire people to become proactive in the fight.

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!