Justin Smith is a senior at Central Methodist University. In the summer of 2018, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Boston, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
One of the closest connections I have to cancer is my mother. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and thankfully she was able to receive successful treatments to get rid of her cancer, but it definitely made me realize how unpredictable and devastating cancer can be. A close family friend's sister was unfortunately diagnosed at a very young age with an inoperable brain tumor and has been fighting bravely ever since. It is devastating seeing an individual and their family go through such a hard experience, but it also very inspiring to see the support and strength that the entire community has given over the last few years. Unfortunately, it seems like just about everybody has had similar experiences to the ones listed above, but hopefully organizations like the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults can help alleviate some of the stresses that are associated with this disease.
Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
I am travelling 4,000 miles across America with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults because I want to help raise funds for such an amazing organization that will help individuals and their families who are going through a very difficult time. I also want to help spread hope, love, and encouragement to those who are needing it.
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!
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Forrest Marston | 08/04/2018 | $50.00 | Some people work their whole life to make a foot print in the world. You found a way to leave your footprint on people’s hearts with every step you took-and so you just RAN. . . Forrest Gump | Michael Kincheloe | 08/01/2018 | $100.00 | Nicole Enck | 07/26/2018 | $50.00 | Keep up the great work Justin!! | Ann and David Dickensheets | 07/01/2018 | $50.00 | Angie Trovao Crook | 06/22/2018 | $50.00 | You are AWESOME Justin! 4475816Safe travels in your journey! | Lillian Taggart Thomas | 06/03/2018 | $100.00 | Elaine Schmeltzer | 06/03/2018 | $100.00 | Dian Bates | 06/03/2018 | $100.00 | Monica Madden | 06/02/2018 | $72.00 | Best wishes for an amazing experience. So proud of you for taking on this journey to help others! Also, congratulations on your graduation!! From your Federated Friends | Brittany Fortune | 05/23/2018 | $40.00 | Thank you for inspiring us! Go, go, GO! | Jennifer Aguiar | 05/15/2018 | $200.00 | I feel so blessed to know you, Justin! You are doing an incredible thing! I will pray for your safe journey. | Greg & Joanie Woods | 05/09/2018 | $100.00 | What an amazing thing you are doing Justin! Super proud of you! | Dare Parsons | 05/08/2018 | $50.00 | what an amazing man you are Justin smith! thank you for the support for cancer victims and their families! | Bonfire | 04/27/2018 | $792.76 | Anonymous Friend | 04/23/2018 | $100.00 | Justin & Carrie Schanbacher | 04/22/2018 | $100.00 | Drucella A Brinkley | 04/21/2018 | $150.00 | Barbara L Fiack | 04/20/2018 | $1,000.00 | Miranda Coughlin | 04/19/2018 | $100.00 | Paul & Kathy Barr | 04/19/2018 | $50.00 | WOW you rock Justin, good luck, be safe and be proud of this great deed you're doing! | Countywide Mechanical Systems Inc. | 04/16/2018 | $500.00 | Justin, Hope you have a safe run and enjoy yourself. This is a great cause and the Countywide Mechanical Family is proud to sponsor you. | Thomas Roenspie | 04/15/2018 | $60.00 | The best of luck to you and thank you for being so supportive of cancer patients!!! You rock!! | Anne Marie Halsey | 04/13/2018 | $50.00 | Kristi Borjas | 04/13/2018 | $100.00 | Wow! This is amazing!!! Have fun and be safe. | Tanya Foster | 04/13/2018 | $100.00 | Justin, Joanie, Grant, & Hunter Chaney | 04/13/2018 | $100.00 | Justin, keep up the good work!! We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments. | Anonymous Friend | 04/12/2018 | $300.00 | Good luck Justin and I hope you have fun! | Mary Smith | 04/12/2018 | $300.00 | Be careful and I hope you have great time Justin. | Jackie Jackson | 04/10/2018 | $40.00 | Tana Aguiar | 04/09/2018 | $100.00 | Good luck to you, it's an amazing thing you all are doing. Be safe. | Cynthia Batchelder | 04/06/2018 | $25.00 | Enjoy the run and thanks for your efforts in support of this cause. | Ginny Vonasek | 03/25/2018 | $100.00 | May the Force be with you! Go, Justin, GO!!!!!❤️❤️❤️ | Terry Fountain | 03/24/2018 | $50.00 | Go, Justin!! | Bonfire | 03/15/2018 | $451.52 | Pooya Ejtemaei | 03/12/2018 | $100.00 | Keep up the good work and safe travels. | Tim Sailsbery | 03/12/2018 | $100.00 | Well done, Justin! You are a great young man doing a very great thing! | Mark Fountain | 03/05/2018 | $50.00 | Go Justin! (You are crazy, but it is for a good cause.) | Drucella A Brinkley | 03/04/2018 | $200.00 | Joyce Bailey | 02/13/2018 | $100.00 | God Bless you!!! Love you much, Aunt Joyce | Vernon Dado | 02/12/2018 | $40.00 | Desmond Rios | 02/11/2018 | $30.00 | Let’s go! | Dennis L Champagne | 02/08/2018 | $100.00 | Marci Sanchez | 02/07/2018 | $50.00 | Susan Bailey | 02/07/2018 | $50.00 | Bless you and many hugs love ya | Melinda Smith | 02/07/2018 | $100.00 | Enjoy this opportunity to accomplish two things you're passionate about, helping others and running! Be safe and have fun Squirt! | John McDermott | 02/07/2018 | $100.00 | Go North! | Eileen Mason | 02/07/2018 | $100.00 | Justin, You continue to be an amazing young man!! Good luck. Be safe! | Sandrine Matiasek | 01/31/2018 | $50.00 | Great challenge for a great cause! | Russ Brinkley | 01/31/2018 | $100.00 | RUN LIKE THE WIND JUSTIN! | Anonymous Friend | 01/29/2018 | $100.00 | Anonymous Friend | 01/27/2018 | $350.00 | Good luck brother! Be safe and have fun. | Sue Ellen Laursen | 01/23/2018 | $50.00 | Audra Jones | 01/23/2018 | $30.00 | Go Justin! | Kelly Mescher | 01/23/2018 | $50.00 | Thanks for your efforts! | N/A N/A | 01/22/2018 | $20.00 | This is awesome! Congrats! | Justin Smith | 01/18/2018 | $100.00 |
| Total | $7,601.28 | ||