Pawel Maslag is a junior at Columbia University . In the summer of 2017, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70 day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to San Francisco, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
I embarked on a journey this summer by becoming a summer counselor at Camp Boggy Creek in Florida, a camp for children living with severe illnesses. During the summer we had two sessions dedicated to children that have or are currently fighting cancer. The campers ranged between the ages of eleven to thirteen, some were currently going through treatment, whilst others in complete remission. The weeks were filled with emotions, from sadness to joy to nervousness, and all in-between.
Throughout the week we had "cabin chats,", a time for the campers to reflect, share, and connect at the end of the day with the cabin community. The following two questions were based on what they can do outside of camp. I asked, “How do you plan on changing the world?” They talked about inspiring the world outside the camp through their experiences fighting cancer — they all wanted to make an impact on others outside of camp. The next question was: “What does being brave mean to you?”
One answer struck me most: “Being brave means being yourself.” The conversation led to how they can take their goofy and silly Camp Boggy Creek selves into the outside world. The same selves that threw food at each other and cheered at the top of their lungs, the same selves that painted their nails and spray painted their hair. Camp Boggy Creek provided an outlet for themselves to be more than just children with cancer — it provided a place for them to be themselves.
Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
Camp was filled with joy, laughs, and adventure — the campers were truly themselves, as kids being kids. There were moments where I could only cry, when I realized that they were fighting cancer. The day would be going amazing, but then it was time for them to get their chemotherapy treatment; I was reminded that they were kids, they were kids fighting a deadly disease. As the camp theme is the “joy of yes,” I believe in the campers abilities and aspirations — as they simply just want to be kids. I want to be able to help provide a space where young people fighting cancer can be their true selves and be surrounded by those that allow them to be exactly that — young people. 4k for Cancer will give me the opportunity to raise awareness and funding for an organization that provides a network for young people fighting cancer
2017 marks the 16th 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 Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner at www.4kforcancer.org!
Challenge:
Over 70,000 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:
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, the Ulman Cancer Fund 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.
UCF House - This year UCF broke ground on 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!
Supporters | |||
Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
Karen Hand | 06/27/2017 | $50.00 | Thanks for all you do! It was a great time working out with you, doing it with ease. But...you did sweat so it wasn't a cake walk either. ;-) | Lynette Reilly | 06/16/2017 | $25.00 | Best of luck! Keep pedaling strong!! | Anonymous Friend | 06/12/2017 | $5.00 | Leonard Costa | 06/02/2017 | $50.00 | Kirk Myers | 05/28/2017 | $250.00 | LETS GOOO PAWELL!! | Rowel Cardenas | 05/28/2017 | $10.00 | all the best pawel | Will Jemal | 05/25/2017 | $270.00 | Katie Prattos | 05/18/2017 | $5.00 | Pavel good luck. Be brave be kind be you ;) | Ryan Liu | 05/16/2017 | $10.00 | Amazing work, good luck! | Stephen Reid | 05/16/2017 | $25.00 | Better late then never. <3 More pushups and pull-ups. | Michael Saldivia | 05/15/2017 | $40.00 | Proud of you brother | Jess Silfa | 05/14/2017 | $33.00 | Way to go, Pawel. I'm so proud of you. | Derek Jones | 05/14/2017 | $5.00 | Keep doing great things Pawel! | Joel R Sanchez | 05/14/2017 | $100.00 | Good luck ! El Pawel maslag , I'm proud of you !! | Paul Norris | 05/14/2017 | $50.00 | R.J. Jenkins | 05/14/2017 | $100.00 | Melissa Moy | 05/10/2017 | $10.00 | I wish you all the luck in the world! | Jeff Solazzi | 05/10/2017 | $50.00 | Proud you Pawel - Enjoy your journey! | Christopher Bonante | 05/09/2017 | $25.00 | Good luck man | Leonard Costa | 05/09/2017 | $140.00 | Go Paul! You're almost to your goal! | Trenton Mendenhall | 05/09/2017 | $20.00 | Good Luck Pawel! | Raisa Flor | 05/09/2017 | $50.00 | Go Pawel! So proud of you. | Anonymous Friend | 05/08/2017 | $50.00 | Way to go! Be safe! | Ramon Mesa | 05/08/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck, and watch out on that bike, lol | Davina Etwaru | 05/08/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck Pawel-D!! Please stay safe :) | Sandra Thomas | 05/07/2017 | $50.00 | You make me so proud! Glad you are thriving, and doing so well. I might be a bit biased...you can't beat Columbia! | Jeffrey Sun | 05/07/2017 | $200.00 | good luck Pawel! | Nicholas Senedzuk | 05/07/2017 | $25.00 | Carlos Loor | 05/01/2017 | $50.00 | Best of luck Pawel | Damian Gordon | 04/30/2017 | $20.00 | Good luck with everything.. | Jasmine Kwasnica | 04/30/2017 | $20.00 | Just out here, cheering for you paw! <3 | Angeli Guinti | 04/30/2017 | $10.00 | Good luck! | Nicholas Bracco | 04/30/2017 | $20.00 | You are an inspiration. | James Cawley | 04/30/2017 | $20.00 | Good Luck!!! | Katharine Celentano | 04/29/2017 | $10.00 | Tara Ulepic | 04/29/2017 | $10.00 | Truly an amamzing person on an incredible mission. Much love | Anwar Shams | 04/29/2017 | $10.00 | Good luck my man.. you got this! | Cody Kanz | 04/29/2017 | $15.00 | Albert De Los Santos | 04/29/2017 | $20.00 | Best of luck brother | Nurse Pat | 04/29/2017 | $50.00 | Wubba lubba dubb dubb!!!!! | Robert Godfried | 04/28/2017 | $5.00 | Erin Nora Delaney | 04/27/2017 | $25.00 | Best of luck Pawel! One of Garfield's shining stars! | Dave Kim | 04/27/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck, Pawel! Although we don't talk much, I much admire all the amazing work you've been doing this whole time. You represent feminism done right! | David Sobiepan | 04/27/2017 | $100.00 | Anonymous Friend | 04/27/2017 | $25.00 | You are a great role model for many | Jim Moy | 04/26/2017 | $25.00 | Can't wait to see Pink Hair. | Tracy Batman | 04/26/2017 | $50.00 | When you feel tired, start singing Devo's 'Whip It' lyrics. | Evan MacKay | 04/26/2017 | $5.00 | Go Pawel! What a superstar, truly inspirational :) | Amanda Collison | 04/26/2017 | $5.00 | Nikki Syth | 04/26/2017 | $35.00 | Inspired, amazed, and humbled by your kindness! | Miguel Gomez | 04/25/2017 | $15.00 | Good luck, m8! | William Breymann | 04/25/2017 | $25.00 | Cheryl Overton | 04/25/2017 | $25.00 | Go Pawel!! | Keith Rada | 04/25/2017 | $25.00 | Jonathan Harper | 04/25/2017 | $50.00 | Don't die! | John Furey | 04/25/2017 | $25.00 | Good luck! Great cause. | Cora Neudeck | 04/25/2017 | $7.00 | So excited for you and I think you're going to have an amazing impact!!! | Simon B | 04/25/2017 | $20.00 | "Merde" | Vincent Tam | 04/25/2017 | $20.00 | Do it! And be safe! | Ryan Anevski | 04/25/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck buddy. You're a true inspiration | Laura Cabrera | 04/25/2017 | $25.00 | Good luck! | Michael DeTerlizzi | 04/24/2017 | $100.00 | KIP MYERS | 04/24/2017 | $75.00 | You Got This! Congrats! | Rich Carino | 04/24/2017 | $5.00 | Always | Anonymous Friend | 04/24/2017 | $200.00 | Jenny Liu | 04/24/2017 | $100.00 | Go Pawel! | Bee Yang | 04/24/2017 | $25.00 | Sarah Masten | 04/24/2017 | $5.00 | Go Pawel!! So inspired by you! | Lisa Garruzzo | 04/24/2017 | $25.00 | What an epic adventure! Go, Pawel! | Justin Deal | 04/24/2017 | $25.00 | Do it, Pawel! You are amazing! | Miko Tsubai | 04/24/2017 | $50.00 | This is such an amazing thing you're doing Pawel! The world is definitely a better place with you in it! :) | Jennifer Phillips | 04/12/2017 | $100.00 | Hi, it's Colton's mom, Jenna, from Camp Boggy Creek. Colton is a cancer survivor, so we support your fundraising efforts! Can't wait to see your hair! | Dean Ramos | 04/09/2017 | $5.00 | Janta Ziobron | 03/26/2017 | $100.00 | Good job! God bless | Larua Coons | 03/14/2017 | $25.00 | Leonard Costa | 03/10/2017 | $50.00 | Leonard Costa | 02/10/2017 | $115.00 | Drew Henry | 01/14/2017 | $10.00 | Richard Mayanja | 12/31/2016 | $50.00 | Best of Luck Pawel! | Victor Vecchiariello | 12/20/2016 | $500.00 | Pawel Maslag | 12/20/2016 | $100.00 | Scott Shay | 12/20/2016 | $50.00 | Powodzenia! | Andy Bailey | 12/20/2016 | $100.00 | Best of luck! | Tim Atkin | 12/20/2016 | $100.00 | Inspiring - thank you for doing this. | LUKASZ KLEK | 12/20/2016 | $50.00 | Good luck Pawel! | Marc Martinez | 12/19/2016 | $25.00 | Great job/good cause! | Scott Shay | 12/19/2016 | $50.00 | Good luck! | Pawel Maslag | 12/18/2016 | $200.00 | Pawel Maslag | 12/15/2016 | $100.00 | Leonard Costa | 12/14/2016 | $100.00 | Lori S | 10/23/2016 | $50.00 | With you in spirit! | Susan Scudillo | 10/23/2016 | $50.00 | So proud of you! Good luck! | Leonard Costa | 10/20/2016 | $135.00 | Thanks Pawel! | Pawel Maslag | 08/07/2016 | $100.00 |
Total | $5,390.00 |