Kyle Mitchell is a junior at North Carolina State University. In the summer of 2019, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to Seattle, WA raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

A neighbor of mine, Mr. David Luther, was diagnosed with cancer towards the end of the summer of 2017. By mid January, he had passed away. David was married and had 4 children, the oldest set to attend college in the fall of 2018. He was always involved in social programs within my neighborhood and could spread happiness through a crowd like nobody else. David was also an avid mountain-biker and outdoors-man who organized a neighborhood camping trip each year. It was a tough loss for his family as well as the entirety of the neighborhood community and I would love to be able to honor him and his legacy as a 4K rider.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Foundation?

I am travelling across the country as a 4K rider because I do not think any person or family should have to suffer due to the loss of a loved one to cancer. When somebody is diagnosed with cancer, their family, friends, and loved ones all feel the effects as well. Almost everybody has either been affected or knows somebody that has been affected by cancer in some way. I am thrilled to be able to take the steps to reduce the number and severity to which people are impacted by cancer with a group as passionate as the 4K riders and the Ulman Foundation.
Another reason I will be a 4K rider in 2019 is because I know my neighbor, David Luther, would have loved to complete a ride similar to this. He was a great influence on me and all of the other kids growing up in our neighborhood. I want to be able to continue his healthy, outdoor lifestyle, while raising awareness for cancer so less families will have to go through similar situations in the future.

2019 marks the 18th 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 Foundation (Ulman). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner a at www.4kforcancer.org! 

CHALLENGE:

Over 72,000 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:

Ulman Foundation changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, Ulman 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.

Ulman House - This year Ulman will open 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!