Anna Wagner is a senior at Salisbury University. In the summer of 2018, she 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?

I stay active in the cancer community whether it be volunteering or participating in Relay for Life, or simply donating to events. I was little when my mom got cancer. Honestly I thought "no way my mom could die, only the bad guys die and she is superwomen" and how was I to know any better. I am blessed to have my mother with me today as a survivor. It was only a couple of years later my best friend's mom, Jodi Griffin, lost her life to cancer. There is not a day that goes by without thinking of her. I began to see the true horror and hopelessness this disease can leave. It was the strength of the Griffins and our community that made me passionate about awareness and fundraising.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

I get called crazy already, and I would be honored to be called crazy for the Ulman Cancer fund. My love for the 4K journeys started back as a teenager on the field hockey field daydreaming about riding my bike across the country for cancer. Flash forward to this past spring when I was in an auditorium full of college students listening to a presentation about the effects of cancer. The speaker showed us the ruthless impact cancer has by asking us to stand if we have been impacted by cancer. The image of the full auditorium standing for the same cause makes me so passionate and honored to be a part of this journey.

Over this past summer Bob Barber who was my professor, mentor, and most importantly my friend, was diagnosed with cancer. The lessons of life he has shared with me has inspired me to apply for the 4k4Cancer journey. I am running because it is so much bigger than me. "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

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!