Brenna Kirkpatrick is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky. 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 Boston, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

As an aspiring physician, I understand that cancer will undoubtedly play a role in my career. Though neither I nor my immediate family have been directly affected by cancer, I am cognizant of the toll that the disease has taken on numerous close friends. To better grasp what my future patients and their families may endure, I have sought to gain exposure to the cancer community from a variety of perspectives: as a researcher, a volunteer, a practitioner. While none of my experiences compare to the experiences of members of the cancer community, I am committed to reducing the suffering of all who have been afflicted by illness, including cancer.

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

When I first discovered the 4K, I was thrilled by how seamlessly it seemed to combine two of my greatest passions: distance running and community healing. In recent years, I have largely considered running to be a personal hobby separate from my medical career aspirations. I imagined that I would dedicate my professional life to treating and comforting those affected by illness, never anticipating that running could help me to achieve some of the same outcomes that I hoped to achieve as a physician. Becoming a 4K runner will allow me to spend over a month doing one of my favorite activities, running, and to join a team of like-minded young adults who have a strong desire to improve the quality of life for members of 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!