Sofie is a freshman at Wesleyan University. 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 to New York City, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

On January 2nd, 2015, my mom was diagnosed with stage four Leiomyosarcoma - an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma - and died about two weeks later. My mom was one-in-a-million in almost every way, but I never thought she would be one of the roughly 4 in 1 million who get diagnosed with this form of cancer. Many people close to me have or have had cancer, including my best friend, several family members, and other very important people in my life.

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

Throughout the weeks when my mom was in the hospital and the months following her death, I learned a lot about others' experiences with cancer. I found that most people have their own story about how they were impacted (either directly or indirectly) by the disease. I am running across the country this summer as a way to recognize that almost everyone is affected by cancer in one way or another and that everyone deserves the support of loving people that I was (and still am) so lucky to have.

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!