Mike Koleny is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown In the summer of 2018, he 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?

Cancer is a disease that afflicts so many people – and it does not discriminate, no matter what your age or nationality.  Over the years, I have lost several family friends to cancer and all of them left young children behind.  There have also been several members of my community who have been stricken with this terrible disease. Different teachers, friend’s parents, and my grandfather have all been diagnosed with some form of cancer. It amazes me to see how positive their attitudes were, even though they were all going through so much. What is truly amazing is to see our small community pulling together for different fundraising dinners and benefits for families in need. The support was amazing, and shows just how much our community cares for one another and can come together for such a great cause. When I see friends and loved ones struggling because of cancer, it makes me thankful for the opportunities that I have been presented in life. Opportunities that I must not take for granted and act upon to support the cause.

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

I am traveling 4,000 miles in the summer of 2018 because as someone who is relatively healthy, I want to be able to provide support to the people in the cancer community who are facing the challenges and battling this terrible disease. I also want to contribute and raise funds so that individuals and families impacted can receive different services needed to help them along. The 4K will give me an opportunity to learn and grow as a person and to give back in the process. Also, I am traveling those 4,000 miles because it will give me more of an education in matters involving the cancer community, and allow me to become more of an advocate. I would also like to be a rider with 4K so that I can experience a brand-new adventure that has a great deal of meaning behind it.  I hope that by doing so and giving more attention to this cause, I will be able to inspire others to give back to those who are in need of assistance and facing cancer.

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!