Abby Spagnola is a graduate student at the University at Albany. In the summer of 2018 she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70 day, 4,000+ mile ride from Baltimore to Portland raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Cancer has continually had an impact on my life. I have friends who watched their family members lose their battles, and watch my own family fight against this terrible disease. Summer of 2017, I ran the Eastern Trek for Cancer--running and fundraising for Christine Dexter, who lost her battle to breast cancer. Since then, my mother battled breast cancer--she is the main reason I am a positive and caring person and I want to honor her strength in continuing her fight. Most of use who've had cancer in our lives, either in ourselves or in a loved one, have the same feeling of shock when that diagnosis hits closer to home. I believe that by coming together we can really change lives and support those who have been impacted in big ways. 

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

It is hard to find a person who hasn't been impacted by cancer in some way--I am biking 4,000 miles to show young adults and their families that they are not alone in their battle. I want to make direct and positive impact on the lives of others, while challenging myself and creating lasting memories. Through the 4K for cancer, I want to honor those who have lost their fight to cancer, and give hope to those individuals, families, and communities that are affected and impacted, whether it be directly or indirectly.

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!