Sarah Eacho is a junior at the University of Virginia. In the summer of 2017 she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49 day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD to raise funds and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
Lately, as my grandparents’ age, I have been thinking more and more about my paternal grandfather who died of lung cancer about a month before I was born. As a child I was not sad that he was gone because he was never present, but now as an adult I realize that cancer took away from me the chance of a great relationship. While this has not affected me emotionally to any great extent, I do consider the loss upsetting and cancer the culprit. Cancer is the culprit in a lot of stories with devastating endings and that is unacceptable. I believe we are all, in one way or another whether it be past, present, or future, connected to the cancer community. My connection to the cancer community, and witnessing the impacts of cancer on my family and friends, has given me the energy and will to fight and raise awareness.
Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
I want to be a runner with the 4K for several reasons. First, I want to run in memory of one of the greatest men I never got to meet and with the hope that others will live longer (and survive) to meet and build relationships with their friends and family. Second, I think that while running across the country will be a great physical feat, I know it will be nothing compared to the fight one must endure to defeat cancer. While running I know that some miles will fly by while others will be painful and never-ending. The knowledge that I am running for a bigger purpose will be a motivator for me and will hopefully inspire people across the country. For both of these reasons, I know that this journey will be life-changing and allow me to take on the future with a new perspective and appreciation for life.
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 |
Ellen & Ned Massie | 10/24/2017 | $250.00 | Dawna Eacho | 08/10/2017 | $40.00 | Donation in memory of Laree and Jim Jones. | Dawna Eacho | 08/10/2017 | $100.00 | In memory of John Utz. | Joan Felts | 08/06/2017 | $25.00 | I am a 2 time survivor of cancer. Thank you for doing this | Aubrey & Blanton Dodson | 08/03/2017 | $100.00 | My Aunt Ocie was a second mother to me. She survived breast cancer and a mastectomy and lived to be 96 years old. | James Russell | 08/01/2017 | $100.00 | Don Shreffler | 07/23/2017 | $20.00 | Our son, Tre', did not have cancer, but died at a young age in a car accident. He would love that Sarah is running for something that makes people so sick. | Aubrey & Blanton Dodson | 07/15/2017 | $25.00 | Phillip has been fighting Multiple Myeloma for about 20 years in and out of remission. It is back now and he is again taking treatments. | Aubrey & Blanton Dodson | 07/15/2017 | $25.00 | Rose is a special friend. She and her daughter are survivors of breast cancer. | Aubrey & Blanton Dodson | 07/15/2017 | $20.00 | I am a 27-year survivor of breast cancer. Thanks for doing this 4K Run for Cancer. | Laurel Myers Flythe Russell | 07/06/2017 | $50.00 | So very proud of you! You are an amazing young woman! Love Jerry and Laurie Russell | VERNON UNSER | 06/29/2017 | $50.00 | Run Forest Run :) | Ronald Clopton | 06/23/2017 | $100.00 | Donald Utz | 06/22/2017 | $50.00 | So proud of your summer endeavor! You are an amazing young woman. Donald lost both his mother and brother to cancer, such a horrible illness. We pray for a cure. Jane and Don Utz | Anonymous Friend | 06/21/2017 | $50.00 | When John was in his late 60s, he was told he had one year to live. He got ready to die. And when the year was up and he didn't die, he decided to live! He is now having a ball traveling and flying, visiting children and grandchildren. | Justin & Anita Williams | 06/21/2017 | $50.00 | Sarah, we are so proud of you! You are an inspiration! God's blessings on you, and your team, as you travel across America for such a great cause! | Anonymous Friend | 06/21/2017 | $25.00 | John Charles Utz | 06/19/2017 | $25.00 | thank you Sarah for running for those in need. | John Charles Utz | 06/19/2017 | $25.00 | Good luck Sarah, | Rob & Mary Beth McIntire | 06/18/2017 | $75.00 | So excited for you and so inspired. Love Mary Beth & Rob | Clay Beasley | 06/15/2017 | $50.00 | You are an inspiration!!!!! Good luck!!!!! | Randy Springs | 06/15/2017 | $100.00 | Best of Luck! | Deb Leeper | 06/14/2017 | $50.00 | Sarah, you are an amazing young woman! I will be praying during your journey and am sure that your life will be changed forever as a result of this experience. Vaya con Dios! | Andrew Dodson | 06/12/2017 | $1,000.00 | A VERY proud Uncle! | Mohammed Islam | 06/11/2017 | $100.00 | There is no better fight than fighting cancer. Wish you the very best Sarah. | Russell Williams | 06/09/2017 | $50.00 | Way to go Sarah! This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart as I lost my 13 year old nephew, Keith, to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma some years back. Blessings and prayers for a safe journey. Russell and Diane Williams | Aubrey & Blanton Dodson | 06/08/2017 | $50.00 | Again, we are proud of you. This is in memory of Papa's twin sister, who died of colon cancer, age 37. Love, Papa and Grandma | Aubrey & Blanton Dodson | 06/08/2017 | $50.00 | We are so proud of our amazing granddaughter! We love you, Papa and Grandma | Taylor McKinney | 06/07/2017 | $50.00 | I am so proud of what you are doing!! I know this will be an amazing experience for you! | Ellen & Ned Massie | 06/06/2017 | $50.00 | You are an inspiration! Come home safe and sound, may angels be with all of you on this endeavor! | Bray Young | 06/04/2017 | $25.00 | A great way to spend your summer. Run and have fun! Bray | Doris Dodson | 05/31/2017 | $100.00 | We are so proud of you, Sarah, for making this opportunity happen and for raising cancer awareness. Enjoy this experience! Love, Aunt Doris and "the boys" | Laura & Tim Kreynus | 05/24/2017 | $200.00 | Stop and enjoy the journey, and take pictures! ~~ Laura, Tim, Niki, Kaleigh and Marty | Samreen Islam | 05/20/2017 | $100.00 | You inspire me every day. Run like the wind and touch more lives along the way. | Brian Bane | 05/19/2017 | $50.00 | Jimmy& Ellen Heatwole | 05/19/2017 | $50.00 | Run Sarah Run! So proud of what you are doing, Have a Great Time! | Rawley Watson | 05/19/2017 | $50.00 | Keep up the great work. Have fun! | Richard & Dawna Eacho | 04/26/2017 | $500.00 | We are so proud of you Babe! Love you. Dad and Mom | Anonymous Friend | 04/02/2017 | $1,500.00 | Sarah Eacho | 02/12/2017 | $100.00 |
Total | $5,430.00 |