Ryan Litwin is junior at Sacred Heart University. In the summer of 2019, 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 Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

In 2015, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had to withdraw from school. I underwent eight different surgeries and several rounds of chemotherapy before my eight month battle was over and I was declared cancer free. My cousin Laurie was diagnosed for a second time two weeks after my diagnosis and this brought us closer. Sometimes we felt like we were the only ones who could relate to and support each other. When Laurie passed, it hit home and I will never forget the effects cancer has had on my life. Cancer is extremely prevalent on both my mother’s and father’s side of the family.

I am currently a Certified Nurse’s Aide who often works with cancer patients and their families. I know what it is like to be on both sides of the cancer diagnosis, as the patient and caregiver as well as the diagnosed family member and the supporting family member. In addition, I am a nursing student at Sacred Heart University with hopes of one day becoming an emergency department or surgical nurse.

I will forever be connected to the cancer community and what it has taught me about love, compassion, and the value of life.

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

The prospect of helping survivors by raising awareness about young adult cancer and fundraising for the support of young adults and their families is important to me. As a runner with the 4K, we are inspiring someone who is in a position my family and I experienced in 2015 and this makes a difference. While undergoing treatment, it was hard to find someone of the same age who could relate. I greatly appreciated the support of my friends and family, but having someone like a 4K runner would also have been a huge inspiration. Our healthcare system has a large gap in the young adult cancer support community and it will be extremely fulfilling to provide empathy and support to those who are a part of it. The fact that this fundraising process, and giving back to the community would culminate in a run across the United States is even more thrilling to me. I know that as an avid runner, outdoor enthusiast, and cancer survivor, this journey will be life changing.

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!