Macy Smith is a graduate student at Brigham Young University- Idaho. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

When I was in elementary school, I had family members and friends diagnosed with cancer. All had different situations and have unique stories. I realized - then and now - how fast time passes. Since then other friends, family members, and work colleagues have been diagnosed with cancer.

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

In memory of family members, friends, colleagues and those who lost their cancer battle, I will be cycling 4,000 miles with the Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults. I am doing this journey to support all those who are fighting cancer. There is a sweet person that I worked with last summer and I want to help her know that she is stronger than she realizes. I am hoping that through this journey I can raise awareness, encourage others, and show people they aren't alone in the fight against cancer. I want to take advantage of this opportunity to hear impacting personal stories while traveling through different states and serving others along the way. This will be an amazing experience. By sacrificing a few months of my time and helping to fund-raise some money, I hope to lift those in their struggle by being a light of hope to their journey.

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!