Brianna Naughton is a post-graduate student at California State University, Fullerton. 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?

My connection to the cancer community is a bit of a unique one. Both of my grandpas have had cancer. My Gramps had Leukemia cancer, while my Grandpa had Prostate. Both of them were able to beat it. But over the past few years, my Grandpa’s cancer has come back. In addition, he now has brain and bone cancer. My uncle is children’s oncologist specializing in Leukemia. I remember him studying for medical school with the biggest books I had ever seen as a toddler. He has given so many families hope through his clinical trials and treatments. He sometimes tells us about his patients and how he was able to help them when everything else failed.

In addition to my grandpas, one of my closest mentors and my professor recently lost her battle to cancer this past August. She was always took such an interest in what I was doing and how my studies were going. She would have a line of over an hour and a half just to see her for office hours. She made an impact on so many lives, yet remained humble. She was one of my biggest supporters and always encouraged me to dream big.

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

I am participating with the Ulman Foundation this summer to be part of something bigger. I try to live each day to the fullest and I can't think of a better way to do that than run 4,000 miles across the United States. Each day I will be inspired by those in my life that have been affected by cancer and will draw strength from those I meet along the way.

While I will be dedicating different days to those impacted by cancer, I will be running for my professor, for the one who always believed in me, for Ellen Caldwell, for EC.

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!