Shania Alotta is a junior at Moravian College. In the summer of 2018, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to New York City, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community? 

In second grade my best friend, who was also known as my grandmother, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After this loss I always wanted to be apart of raising funds and awareness for the cancer community. My freshman year of high school at Notre Dame Green Pond in Bethlehem Township, I experienced my first 24-hour dance THON. We were asked to raise money and stand amongst our classmates/teachers to support these children in need for a full 24 hours. I continued to participate in this THON once a year throughout my high school career. This impacted me heavily because it was one of the hardest things I have ever accomplished. Children that were diagnosed with cancer visited during the 24 hour THON to talk about their life and what they have gone through. The pain they endured pushed me to keep dancing. Each year it progressed in difficulty but I realized every hour was worth the pain.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

I want to continue spreading awareness and making a difference in other individuals lives. Traveling 4,000 miles this summer will be an experience of a lifetime. Running in this special event will give me a hands-on experience when raising awareness. Being able to run across america is not only courageous but sacrificial. I want to take advantage of this opportunity so I can travel through different states, see new things, and hear other impacting stories about the cancer community.

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!