Rizwan Kureshi is a student at Montgomery College. 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?

I believe everyone is familiar with the damaging effects of cancer. In my life, I have seen family and friends suffer the loss and painful implications carried by this disease. Many loved ones, including my great grandmother and various extended family members, have been affected by several different types of this cancer. I care deeply for those who suffer and have to endure the exhausting fight, and I don’t believe anyone should have to go through that fight alone. Involving myself as a supporting role within the personal battles cancer patients face is an inspiring and driving task, and I feel very drawn to it.

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

I always knew I was going to run across the country. I didn’t know when, how, or why I would do it, but I always knew one day I was just going to do it. For many years, distance running has tremendously impacted the shaping of my identity. I owe much of my success and security to the lessons instilled into me from years of casual and competitive running. Lately, I’ve been re-imagining my passion for running and striving to connect it to a purpose. I believe I was given the ability to run for a reason, and I believe utilizing my ability to better the people around me is my reason. Embarking on this part running-trip, part service-trip to raise awareness and support for the Ulman Foundation would be unbelievably fulfilling and nourishing to my identity not just as a runner, but also as a human being. I am on this 4,000-mile journey for the people who have fought and who continue to fight the strenuous and exhausting cancer battle. I am running for the lives who have been so unfairly affected by this disease. I feel a spiritual calling to the journey itself, and a moral calling to do it with the Ulman Foundation. 

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!