Megan Meyers is a senior at Indiana 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 Portland, OR, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Many of my family members and friends at college have battled cancer. I am thankful to say that both my aunt and grandmother are breast cancer survivors, and another aunt is a leukemia survivor. It is devastating that everyone knows at least one person who has had cancer, and I hope to one day live in a world where that is not the case. I am riding for all my family and friends who have, are, or will be affected with cancer. We are stronger with each other's support, and this one is for all of you.

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

While at college, I have made friends who have gone through so much at such a young age. I am biking 4,000 miles because young adults should not have to be going through pain, they should be enjoying the little things in life. I have been blessed with so many opportunities, and this is my way of giving back to what the world has given me. If I can make just one person's day, or make them feel like a regular teen again, I will have accomplished my goal. I am biking across the country because I want to make a difference in people's lives, like I am sure they will make a lasting impact on mine.

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!