Cristina Lopez is a junior at Vassar College. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Baltimore, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I was involved in Relay for Life in high school, but never truly understood the impact of cancer until very recently. Within the past year, I have seen many friends and coworkers lose people close to them in their battles with cancer. I am fortunate enough that I have not known anyone personally who has lost their life to cancer; my great grandfather passed away before I was born, and my grandfather defeated skin cancer. However, seeing my friends and family lose loved ones to cancer has shown me the incredible impact this disease has not only on those directly affected by it, but on their entire communities as well.

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

I am traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults to support and honor those who have lost their lives to cancer or are in the midst of their battle with it. I believe this will be a life changing experience not only for the runners, but for those who we meet along the way. On our journey back to Baltimore, we will be visiting cancer centers, volunteering at cancer organizations, and delivering care packages and scholarships to young adults impacted by cancer. This is a very meaningful way to support those with cancer who are unable to do many of the things that most of us take for granted. I will be running because it is something I love doing and I am lucky enough to be able to do so in an environment that will positively impact the cancer community.

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!