Matthew Walchuck is a senior at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. 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 to Portland, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Regrettably, as a child I lost several great relatives, all of which will be on my mind throughout this journey, to various forms of cancer. In my adult life, both my godmother and my grandfather fell to different forms of cancer, but watching them fight it and steadily recover was an inspiring display of some of the strongest acts of courage I have ever seen. Cancer is obviously a traumatic experience, but I want to be involved in helping young adults know and show that there can be more to life than this illness. I want to give back to someone in a time of need, not only to help them through one of the hardest physical taxations they will ever have to overcome, but also in order to ground myself and give back in a time when I’m in my own peak physical condition.

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

I graduate college in the spring, and with no current concrete plans as to how I should spend the rest of my life, the 4k for cancer offers an amazing opportunity not only to see the country, since I’ve also never been to the west coast, but also to give back to a community in need as I do it. The 4K provides a truly unique opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and spend the summer with an amazing group of individuals, travel the country, and provides an new and rewarding physical goal that will keep my personally fit. The 4k offers so much for me to gain on this experience, while the entire time I’ll also be providing support and embracing individuals struggling to overcome cancer. During a time of personal uncertainty as to what direction my life might take, it seems appropriate and unbelievably valuable to spend the summer traveling and giving back.

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!