Sonali Verma is a senior at  University of California, Berkeley. In the summer of 2018, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile bike 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?

I was diagnosed with Leukemia during my freshman year of high school. Due to my compromised immune system, I was taken out of public school and spent three years in-and-out of hospitals. It was difficult to stay connected with friends or spend time outdoors due to risk of infection. Even though I had a strong support system, I had never felt so disconnected from my community. 

During my third year of treatment, I attended a summer camp for teenagers living with cancer (Camp Okizu!). For the first time, I met people my age living with cancer.  They provided me with a support community I didn't know I needed. After reaching recovery, I've made it my goal to be there for as many cancer patients as possible, to show them that they are not alone in their uphill climb.

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

After a diagnosis, every cancer patient scours the internet to find survivorship stories to give them hope. I wouldn't have had the courage to fight, without the stories of patients who showed me that things get better, one day at a time. I want to pay it forward and help my peers focus on the silver lining - whether they have a hip replacement, like me, had to give up a sport/hobby due to chemotherapy, or are struggling to come to terms with their diagnosis. The 4K for cancer is a great opportunity to support those who are still fighting - and those who stood by me - all while forming stronger connections with members of the cancer community from across the United States. 

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!