Nick Somera is a senior at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. In the summer of 2018, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Baltimore, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
My first exposure to cancer was when my grandpa passed away when I was just 4 years old. My mom always tells me I remind her of him and shares the traits/hobbies that we have in common. I hear about the great things he did with his time here and my hope is that he would be proud of the man I have become and continue to grow into. Like my grandpa, there are many people that don’t win this fight. As a freshman in college, I learned that one of my good friends lost his father because of cancer. I saw the toll it took on his family and the pain that came with his passing. Even though I can’t always relate to the different pains people feel and continue to feel, I am always there to listen and help in whatever way I can.
Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
Simply put, I am running for those who can't. I am always looking for the opportunity to be part of something larger than myself and make a lasting impact on others . I am so excited to be surrounded with passionate runners who care greatly about the cancer community and seek to make a difference.
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!
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Claire Romine | 09/04/2018 | $20.00 | Thank you Carol Davis! | Anonymous Friend | 08/31/2018 | $120.00 | Kiwanis Club of Lodi Members | Claire Romine | 08/30/2018 | $25.00 | Thank you everybody for venmoes! Hope this helps some Nick! | Jerry & Rachel Iversen | 08/04/2018 | $50.00 | Rebecca Fuerst | 07/22/2018 | $10.00 | Go Nick!! This is awesome, rooting for you every step of the way!! | Elmer Kirsch | 06/24/2018 | $200.00 | Erin McConnell | 06/23/2018 | $50.00 | you are running for a great cause. remember hydration before and after and icing is your friend. | Nathan Wood | 06/21/2018 | $20.00 | Anonymous Friend | 06/06/2018 | $112.00 | TITAN CRANE | 05/03/2018 | $200.00 | Pacific Coast Producers | 05/01/2018 | $250.00 | Anonymous Friend | 05/01/2018 | $200.00 | Good luck Nick!! Bill and Ann Thomas | Michele Iseli | 04/29/2018 | $25.00 | Go Nick! Proud of what you'll be doing this summer! | Shelley Banks | 04/27/2018 | $200.00 | Shelley Banks | 04/27/2018 | $100.00 | Harney Lane Winery | 04/26/2018 | $500.00 | Chet Somera | 04/25/2018 | $500.00 | David Phillips | 04/25/2018 | $200.00 | From Michael David winery. Run Fast Nick! | Anonymous Friend | 04/23/2018 | $20.00 | Anonymous Friend | 04/23/2018 | $185.00 | Emily Balestreri | 04/23/2018 | $25.00 | Good luck Nick! This is so awesome what you’re doing! | Anthony W Holder | 04/13/2018 | $100.00 | Joy Freeman | 04/13/2018 | $200.00 | Good Luck Nick! Joy & Alan Freeman Kiwanis Club of Greater Lodi | Robert Ardelean | 04/12/2018 | $100.00 | Mike & Bev Ries | 04/12/2018 | $100.00 | Thank you Nick for raising awareness to this awful disease. Mike and I lost one of our best friends at 34yrs old, her memory will continue to carry on. | Jannine Tejeda | 04/11/2018 | $300.00 | Donation from PCL Construction. Go Nick! | Anonymous Friend | 03/22/2018 | $69.00 | You are so loved and supported! | Elmer Kirsch | 03/20/2018 | $100.00 | Hope all goes well, Nick! Best wishes for a great ride. | Debbie Kirsch | 03/18/2018 | $50.00 | Nick we know your grandpa would be so proud of you! We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished. If you guys come through Missouri let us know in case we can meet you. Love you so much buddy!! | Sally Skelton | 03/09/2018 | $25.00 | What a fun thing to do. Have a great time! | Todd Oesterman | 03/05/2018 | $50.00 | Nathan Wood | 03/05/2018 | $25.00 | Go Nick ! | Steve and Jill Mann | 03/05/2018 | $250.00 | Michele Patterson | 03/04/2018 | $50.00 | Thank you, Nick, for doing something that will make a difference! | Lisa Fromm | 03/03/2018 | $50.00 | Hurrah for your willingness to take on this cause and adventure!! Run strong, Nick! | Sini Punnakkathara | 03/02/2018 | $50.00 | Anonymous Friend | 03/02/2018 | $25.00 | Holly Malin | 01/31/2018 | $50.00 | Good luck!! | Danny Bentley | 01/28/2018 | $30.00 | You're the man. Run hard, BDN! | Colleen Mulrenin | 01/23/2018 | $50.00 | Thanks for doing this, Nick, and all participants past, present and future. You are making a difference! | Nick Somera | 01/09/2018 | $100.00 | Nick Somera | 01/09/2018 | $50.00 | Nick Somera | 01/09/2018 | $100.00 | Nick Somera | 01/05/2018 | $20.00 | Joan Fagerness | 01/05/2018 | $100.00 | Walt Scheffer | 12/22/2017 | $100.00 | WesGayle Fujitani | 12/21/2017 | $50.00 | Stockton Corral of Westerners | 12/20/2017 | $1,000.00 | Dustin Sullivan | 12/16/2017 | $25.01 | Casey Ryan | 12/14/2017 | $26.00 | For the 26 crazies that turned into my best friends circa Team Baltimore '16. Keep it 4KOK. | Tricia Ryan | 12/14/2017 | $25.00 | Nick, We think you will have the time of your life! Thanks for doing this important work. We'll see you at the finish line! Jamie, Tricia, Casey & Aidan | Nick Somera | 12/06/2017 | $100.00 |
| Total | $6,382.01 | ||