Marco Pacheco attends Bronx Community College. In the summer of 2017, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco, CA, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

My grandfather, who was one of my heroes growing up died of stomach cancer. Losing him put me on a path where I want to support other people going through this. I wish I could have just one more conversation with my hero.

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

I want to help people in any way I can. This organization has made it possible to do just that. I want to raise awareness about cancer, meet people affected by it and tell their story. I want to help raise money for this fund that helps young adults who are affected by cancer.

I want to be a rider for 4k because it’s for a great cause. Many people find it hard to do because it means leaving their daily lives for a whole season, but it's something that many people don't have the option of doing because of their situation. I am lucky to be one of the people who has that option and I want to take this opportunity and do something good with it. My grandfather died of stomach cancer and it was a tough time for me. I want to do something about it and this is the perfect opportunity to do so. The Ulman Cancer Fund is doing some amazing things and I want to help with this movement. I am very thankful that this organization exists and that it is making a difference in the world!

2017 marks the 16th 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 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!