Marco Gacke is a senior at Southwest Minnesota State University. In the summer of 2019, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to San Francisco, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I'm Lucky enough to not have many direct connections to the cancer society. My aunt Cleta is a breast cancer survivor and my aunt Joan lost her battle with cancer when she was very young. otherwise, my connections come from friends, coworkers, classmates, and people from the community.

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

The summer of 2018 I biked from Baltimore to Seattle through the Ulman Foundation. to say the least it was the most incredible and rewarding summer of my life. I decided to bike across the country again because life is short and when it's time for me to leave this life I don't want to look back and be disappointed by the opportunities I didn't take. I want to inspire people and help make a difference in peoples lives. I ride for this year teammates, for team Seattle 18', and team Portland 18' and their loved ones. Most importantly I ride for my sister who took her own life on June 15th, 2017. She was one of my best friends, someone I miss greatly, and someone who inspires me to be the best that I can be.

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!