Nathan Williams is a Graduate Student at the University of Kentucky. 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 San Francisco, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
Everyone has a connection to the cancer community whether or not they realize it. Although I have never lost a loved one because of cancer, several of my friends and their families have. I can only begin to imagine how much of an impact cancer has on both the individual who has cancer and his or her family and friends. When I see families struggling because of cancer, it makes me very thankful for the opportunities that I have in life, such as being a part of this amazing team. This ride is the beginning of a long journey as my initial connection to the cancer community.
Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
Being a rider on this team is not just about the miles; it is about connecting the individuals who are affected by cancer and creating a support system for those who need it. Before, during, and after the 4K, I will fight for those who can't. By choosing to be a part of this support system, I will transform many lives, including mine. After losing my sister to Trisomy 18, I live every moment as if it’s my last. Each journey I embark upon is dedicated to Hannah Jo. She’s my inspiration and motivation. I’m going to ride for those who can't.
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!
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Lisa Stoflet | 07/31/2017 | $50.00 | Thank you for raising awareness. Hope you had an incredible journey, | Jennifer and Daniel Garst | 07/05/2017 | $100.00 | Lisa Smith | 06/20/2017 | $25.00 | Thank you for giving of your time and energy Nate. The Smith Family, Sam, Lisa, Maggie and Hayden | Lisa Smith | 06/20/2017 | $25.00 | Thank you for giving of your time and energy Nate. The Smith Family, Sam, Lisa, Maggie and Hayden | John & Carol Moses | 06/05/2017 | $40.00 | Ride strong! | Tom & Pat Todd | 06/04/2017 | $25.00 | Have a safe adventure for a wonderful cause! | Jonathan Crosmer | 05/25/2017 | $100.00 | Caroline Lapan | 05/25/2017 | $50.00 | Have a great journey. | Anonymous Friend | 05/24/2017 | $50.00 | Bill and Belinda Witte | 05/23/2017 | $75.00 | Christine Lindon | 05/20/2017 | $25.00 | Best of luck!!!! Have a great time... | Monica Mitry | 05/05/2017 | $25.00 | Good luck! Keep up the amazing work! | David Rice | 04/28/2017 | $100.00 | The best of luck to you Nathan! | Sarah Smoak | 04/28/2017 | $20.00 | Anonymous Friend | 03/31/2017 | $30.00 | Nick Covault | 03/27/2017 | $25.00 | Go, Nate! | Polly Richards | 03/21/2017 | $100.00 | What a wonderful thing you are doing Nate! Be safe, enjoy and thank you! | Eddy and Kathy Barber | 03/19/2017 | $200.00 | In honor of our son Shawn Barber and his fight against cancer. Thank you for your special tribute to him. | Doris (and Lee) Morrow | 03/15/2017 | $35.00 | Mark Vanderwerp | 03/13/2017 | $50.00 | In loving memory of Joanie Thacker | Anonymous Friend | 03/12/2017 | $50.00 | Roberta S Chappars | 03/12/2017 | $20.00 | Anonymous Friend | 03/12/2017 | $290.00 | Thank you to everyone who came out to my benefit recital. A special shoutout to Christ Church UMC for donating the beautiful chapel and all of the musicians who helped make today possible! | Dennis Gookin | 03/12/2017 | $100.00 | Good luck bro! Hope you have some cushioned shorts! | Marian Griffin | 03/12/2017 | $50.00 | What an amazing adventure for such a great cause. | Lindy Ebbs | 03/12/2017 | $25.00 | Sorry I missed your concert today. Wishing you success in your ride. | Morgan Quick | 02/25/2017 | $20.00 | Julie Turner | 02/09/2017 | $25.00 | Kristin Gaydos | 02/06/2017 | $50.00 | Melanie Sublett | 02/04/2017 | $100.00 | Good Luck, Nathan! i know this will be an amazing experience! Thank you for your commitment to this fund. | Shawn Barber | 02/04/2017 | $20.00 | In honor of my nephew Shawn Edward Barber, who is an amazing young man, and is always upbeat! Love you, Sally | Bluegrass Hospitality, LLC | 02/02/2017 | $21.59 | Maddie Emmett | 02/01/2017 | $20.00 | John & Cacey Nardolilo | 02/01/2017 | $150.00 | Anonymous Friend | 02/01/2017 | $50.00 | Carol Walton | 01/29/2017 | $100.00 | Steve and Kathy Graham | 01/24/2017 | $50.00 | Good Luck Nathan! | Gary Householder | 01/24/2017 | $30.00 | Proud of you | David Barry | 01/23/2017 | $10.00 | Suzanne Lancaster | 01/20/2017 | $100.00 | Nate- Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you take on this huge undertaking. May your journey bless those affected by cancer in greater ways than you ever imagined. -The Lancaster Family | C. S. Williams | 01/10/2017 | $200.00 | Mike & Michelle Pfeffer | 01/09/2017 | $100.00 | Good luck in your ride! | Janet Hundley | 01/03/2017 | $50.00 | Thank you Nate for your giving spirit. | John Heyburn | 12/27/2016 | $200.00 | Mark and Lynn Coile | 12/25/2016 | $100.00 | Merry Christmas and thank you! | David Williams | 12/23/2016 | $100.00 | Good Luck Nathan!!! - Love Mom & Dad | Charlie and Vicki Cunningham | 12/22/2016 | $25.00 | Ann Guillaume | 12/20/2016 | $50.00 | Jennie Weeks | 12/19/2016 | $25.00 | So Proud of you, Nathan | Ethereal Brewing | 12/07/2016 | $240.00 | Catherine Welsh | 12/06/2016 | $100.00 | Thank you Nate for supporting this wonderful cause! | Nathan Williams | 12/03/2016 | $20.00 | This is awesome. Good luck! | Nathan Williams | 11/29/2016 | $200.00 | Thank you and your family for being such great patients and friends. We appreciate each of you. | James Cockrum | 11/27/2016 | $50.00 | Nathan Williams | 11/25/2016 | $100.00 | Love, LuLu and Papa | James Bosse | 11/24/2016 | $50.00 | John & Amy Scheib | 11/23/2016 | $100.00 | Shirley Chandler | 11/22/2016 | $50.00 | Go for it, Nathan; safe journey! | Buffalo Wild Wings | 11/21/2016 | $40.69 | William Kinman | 11/20/2016 | $300.00 | Cheryl Tompkins | 11/19/2016 | $50.00 | Talitha Lerding | 11/18/2016 | $20.00 | Classical Movements | 11/15/2016 | $50.00 | All the best from all of us at Classical Movements! Safe and happy riding. We'll see you in Prague! | Sally Horowitz | 11/13/2016 | $50.00 | Proud of what you're doing! | Bryan & Brenda Slone | 11/11/2016 | $100.00 | Good Luck and God's Speed! | Nathan Williams | 11/10/2016 | $100.00 | Thanks for contributing to our ensemble. | Yuha Jung | 11/09/2016 | $100.00 | You represent UK Arts Administration very well and we're so proud of you. Thank you for doing this! | Blue Stallion Brewing Company | 11/08/2016 | $95.00 | Andrew Shea | 11/08/2016 | $100.00 | Keep up the great Work!! | Nathan Williams | 11/07/2016 | $174.00 | A huge shoutout to Krispy Kreme for donating the donuts and a HUGE thank you University of Kentucky Fine Arts faculty, staff, and students for supporting this cause! -Nate | David Elliott | 11/04/2016 | $100.00 | UKY Arts Administration | 11/04/2016 | $150.00 | Keep up the good work. | Joanne Filkins | 11/02/2016 | $20.00 | Several of my relatives have had cancer, including an uncle I never met because he died as a young adult. I also had a neighbor who was diagnosed while in college. | Ruth & Bob Cluxton | 11/02/2016 | $200.00 | This isn't a family, it's an adventure! | Anonymous Friend | 11/01/2016 | $25.00 | A great cause! Good luck.GM | Anonymous Friend | 10/26/2016 | $15.00 | Carolyn McCalley | 10/24/2016 | $20.00 | Have fun Nate, Finance! | Bryan Kist | 10/24/2016 | $50.00 | From The Kist Family! This is a great thing you are doing Nate! | Rebecca Kiefer | 10/21/2016 | $20.00 | My grandpa who passed away from blood cancer. Ed Kiefer. Love you and miss you, Papa! | Wendy Magaro | 10/20/2016 | $25.00 | In loving memory of Georgiana Brown. I love and miss you. | Wendy Magaro | 10/20/2016 | $25.00 | Wendy Magaro | 10/20/2016 | $50.00 | In honor of my daughter Laura Nan who is fighting the fight. | Anonymous Friend | 10/20/2016 | $100.00 | Nathan Williams | 10/19/2016 | $100.00 |
| Total | $6,271.28 | ||