Cheyenne Greenside is a senior at University of Alaska Fairbanks. In the summer of 2018, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 50-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco, CA to New York, NY raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

When I was a freshman in high school, I was able to meet a young man named Spencer St Germain. He was a strong, courageous man who wanted nothing more than to make everyone around him smile. Spencer was an individual who persisted in everything he did, even if it was nearly impossible for him to do so because of his fight. Although I did not have a relationship with him outside of cross country, I learned a lot from his presence; to stay determined through the hardest of times, to always find a reason to smile, and to make those around you enjoy their time. This isn’t the only time I have been influenced by an individual who was affected by cancer; throughout my life I have met many people who have been personally affected by cancer whether it was themselves or a loved one who was battling. I have been blessed to learn from these individuals who have been through situations I can’t imagine going through.

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

I am traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults because I believe it will be a journey of mental, emotional, and physical strength that will help build my character and teach me many life lessons. When I first began running cross country, I not only fell in love with the sport but I wondered what it would be like to literally run across the country. Participating in this 4,000 mile adventure will allow me to find out what it is like to run across the country and it will give me the ability to meet new people from many walks of life who have had a variety of life experiences I could potentially learn from.

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!