Ryan Tomlin is a junior at Missouri State University. In the summer of 2018, 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 Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
My connection to the cancer community runs close to home as both of my parents continue to deal with two different forms of skin cancer. My father has had 4 separate diagnoses of various forms of carcinoma, while my mother was diagnosed with melanoma and had a tumor removed. This is very difficult for my dad as his passion is landscaping and gardening. He is a teacher and loves to spend his summers helping aging neighbors and friends with their yards. He always uses sunscreen, wears a floppy hat and tries to accomplish most of his work in the early morning or evening. I know he is not happy being inside on a beautiful day. I’m thankful that both of them continue to go through monthly body scans to check for additional cancerous areas. I know this isn't one of the most dangerous forms of cancer, but it is something that is always on my mind as I realize that there is a genetic component. In fact, both of my grandfathers and two of my uncles have battled this form of cancer, one has since passed away. I absolutely love playing sports and spend a great deal of my time outside being active. I have exactly the same complexion as they do and I realize that it is only a matter of time that I may be dealing with this as well. I don’t know what my future holds and I’m not sure I’ll ever have this opportunity again in my life.
Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
I believe this is a perfect fit for me. I have years of running experience and I’m looking to push my body to the limits. I want to use this opportunity to make a difference in the cancer community. I have always wanted to make my parents proud and I feel this run would provide me with the chance to show how inspiring they are to me. I want to raise money that will hopefully provide my parents with the opportunity to spend their summers outdoors without the constant worry of cancer. It's providing me with a chance to meet others who want to participate in a life changing experience. I believe the people that I'm going to meet will make a lasting impression on me and I’m quite confident that I will be very humbled along the way.
2018 marks the 17th 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 a 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 |
Anonymous Friend | 07/19/2018 | $100.00 | This donation is for our many family members who have battled cancer. | Country Financial | 07/18/2018 | $50.00 | Michael L Tomlin | 07/16/2018 | $100.00 | Kelli Appel | 07/15/2018 | $50.00 | Marcia K Moore | 07/10/2018 | $25.00 | Brooke Ashenbremer | 06/06/2018 | $35.00 | Good Luck!! | Melissa Sieg | 05/31/2018 | $50.00 | Good Luck Ryan! | Lisa Tomlin | 05/28/2018 | $50.00 | This donation is on behalf of Pat Neuleib from Annawan, IL | Erin McArdle | 05/27/2018 | $50.00 | Carrie Hoffman | 05/25/2018 | $25.00 | Best of luck! | Lisa Tomlin | 05/16/2018 | $50.00 | This donation is on behalf of Mr. Bruce Boswell and family. | Terry Gliege | 05/15/2018 | $50.00 | This’ll sure beat landscaping! Good luck! | Kelly Trask | 05/15/2018 | $100.00 | Trask Family & Coach Trask :) | Kelly Trask | 05/15/2018 | $300.00 | HeyDays 5K - Heyworth Cross Country Team | Kelly Trask | 05/15/2018 | $7.00 | Trask Family & Coach Trask :) - Finished the amount owed! | Greg Freeman | 05/08/2018 | $50.00 | Nate Hilker | 05/03/2018 | $50.00 | You are an inspiration Ryan and I hope this summer is a wonderful experience for you! You are supporting a great cause and I have never been more proud! | Ryan Tomlin | 05/03/2018 | $10.00 | This donation is from Donald Hopkins | Kathy DiCiaula | 04/26/2018 | $100.00 | Ryan, you are making a difference! | William Endress | 04/21/2018 | $150.00 | Teri Wilson | 04/21/2018 | $25.00 | Good luck on your journey! | Peggy S Caslow | 04/17/2018 | $25.00 | Patty Saal | 04/17/2018 | $25.00 | Nicole Quinton | 04/16/2018 | $25.00 | WOW! This is amazing! | Matt Hoder | 04/15/2018 | $20.00 | Good luck, Ryan! | Joe Burgess | 04/14/2018 | $25.00 | This is an amazing fundraiser! | Lyndon Jason | 04/13/2018 | $20.00 | Mary Jo Douglass | 04/10/2018 | $100.00 | Melinda Taylor | 04/09/2018 | $100.00 | Good luck, Ryan! | Jeff, Anissa & Sami Foster | 04/09/2018 | $50.00 | Awesome Cause! Best of Luck Ryan | Katy Klokkenga | 04/09/2018 | $10.00 | Arlene Lynch | 04/08/2018 | $100.00 | You're a real inspiration to young people, Ryan. Keep up the good work and the wonderful spirit. Safe travels! | Matt Freeman | 04/03/2018 | $150.00 | Jerry Crabtree | 03/31/2018 | $300.00 | Go You Ryan!! | Jenny Stielow | 03/29/2018 | $50.00 | Good luck, Ryan!! | Angie and Andy Hannah and Christian | 03/27/2018 | $250.00 | We are so proud of you, Ryan! Great dedication to a great cause. We will look forward to seeing you somewhere along your path. | Antoinette & Mark Tomlin | 03/26/2018 | $100.00 | Michael Morrison | 03/21/2018 | $50.00 | Dave & Ellen Moyer | 03/21/2018 | $50.00 | 49 days! 4000+ miles! WOW! Enjoy the scenery & be safe out there. We know you'll slather on the sunscreen. ; )) | Monica Neuleib | 03/14/2018 | $25.00 | So proud to support you and your cause...good luck! | Dennis Lawyer | 03/14/2018 | $50.00 | Brian D Bradshaw | 03/13/2018 | $10.00 | Lisa Tomlin | 03/13/2018 | $178.00 | Thanks to Harlan Hankins, Brandon Tate, MaryLea and Dale Curtis and all Country Oaks Neighbors | Taylor Williams | 03/13/2018 | $25.00 | Awesome! | Albert L Leight | 03/12/2018 | $35.00 | Kelly Hankins | 03/12/2018 | $40.00 | Elizabeth K Hospelhorn | 03/12/2018 | $20.00 | Craig A Becker | 03/12/2018 | $20.00 | Sharon M Witten | 03/12/2018 | $25.00 | Mike Burt | 03/11/2018 | $25.00 | Heyworth Junior and Senior High School | 03/07/2018 | $200.00 | Stephen A Tomlin | 03/07/2018 | $100.00 | Joyce Hasselberger | 03/05/2018 | $100.00 | Good luck with this project, Ryan! Amazing that you are attempting such a huge feat! Aunt Joyce | Theresa Tomlin | 03/03/2018 | $100.00 | Good luck Ryan. I'm so proud of you. Aunt Theresa | Patrick Tomlin | 02/17/2018 | $200.00 | I announced all of the home girls basketball games this season to donate my pay to your cause. So proud of you, son! | Diana Williams | 02/15/2018 | $30.00 | So happy to donate to such an important cause! How exciting you are running across the country!! Be safe and we are rooting for you! Love, Diana, Noah, and Lola | Elizabeth DiLeonardi | 02/14/2018 | $30.00 | Great cause supported by a great kid! Proud of you, Ryan! You got this! XO, Sean, Lizzy, Rocco, + Olive | J. Thomas Eder | 02/07/2018 | $50.00 | Sue Schupp | 02/05/2018 | $25.00 | Great job, Ryan!! What an awesome thing you're doing for such a great cause! | Jim & Nancy Todd | 02/03/2018 | $50.00 | Best of luck Ryan on this awesome journey! | Ruell Fiant | 01/31/2018 | $50.00 | My best to Ryan in reaching his goal. This is a worthy cause, and his generosity deserves recognition. My best Ryan. Ruell | Michael L Tomlin | 01/30/2018 | $100.00 | Jessica King | 01/27/2018 | $25.00 | In honor of your Mom’s milestone birthday | Kelli Stackhouse Appel | 01/23/2018 | $50.00 | This is amazing, Ryan. You have a beautiful heart and great work ethic! | Remy Garard | 01/18/2018 | $25.00 | You are an inspiration! I know how proud of your mom is of you! | David Weber | 01/17/2018 | $40.00 | April Schermann | 01/16/2018 | $25.00 | Good luck! | Anonymous Friend | 01/16/2018 | $10.00 | Best of luck! | Lisa Tomlin | 01/14/2018 | $300.00 | We're so proud of you son! | Diand Wolf | 01/12/2018 | $100.00 | Ryan, We are so excited for you to use your XC skills for a worthy event. Be care, be smart and do good! Diane and Ty Wolf | Angie Codron | 01/12/2018 | $25.00 | Laura O'Donnell | 01/11/2018 | $25.00 | Amanda Long | 01/10/2018 | $20.00 | Great cause, great challenge! I'm looking forward to following your journey. | Mysty Vaughn | 01/09/2018 | $25.00 | Ryan, I am very proud of you committing such a large portion of your time to an honorable, charitable event. Best wishes this summer. Persevere and stay strong! | Ryan Tomlin | 10/06/2017 | $100.00 |
Total | $5,135.00 |