Marisol Angeles is a junior at Humboldt State University. In the summer of 2018, she 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?

When someone has CANCER...the whole family and everyone who loves them does too. No one has to go through Cancer alone because WE are all in this together. Cancer can do many things to a person but it cannot shatter one's hope. We must be the HOPE for a cure. Nowadays it is not hard to know someone who is diagnosed with cancer who have won, or lost the battle. I had friends who lost a parent or loved one, and a student who I reached out to when doing outreach for my College. I have seen what it does to someone and the effects it has on the families. I know that during my cross country ride I will have tough days but in the fight against cancer, I WILL NOT GIVE UP. Through my 70 day journey and the people I meet, I will share their story.

If you have a loved one or someone special in particular who is diagnosed with Cancer or has won the battle or lost the battle. Please leave their name and I will put their name on a shirt that I will wear and I will dedicate my cross country ride to them.

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

I will be a 4k rider and ride 4,000 miles for the Summer of 2018 with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults to support the fighters, admire the survivors, honor the taken and to never ever give up hope that what we are doing is creating change in helping those fighting the everyday battle to live. I want to push my limits through my mind and body because the ones who are fighting cancer are strong and just like them I will be strong because their battle is my battle. I would like to help raise awareness, hand out chemo bags and raise scholarships for young adults who want to pursue in a higher education to take the next step in their life and did not let Cancer define them and have been burdened with medical bills. Cancer may have started the fight but TOGETHER we will finish it.  "Keep fighting, fighting, fighting, fighting."

Any way you can support me and this cause would be fantastic for the lives of the people we will impact. Every donation counts whether it is small or large. Everyone who donates is choosing to be a part of this life-changing opportunity and joining the fight against Cancer. Please do not hesitate to share this with family and friends. Thank you and God Bless!

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!