Spencer Polk is a freshman at the University of St. Thomas. In the summer of 2017, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to Portland, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
What is your connection to the cancer community?
My first connection with cancer was with my grandpa who was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 50 and passed away in 1994 before I was born. He was an avid biker and reader like myself. Furthermore, as I was preparing to register for this ride my grandma passed away from lung cancer. Currently, my aunt is going through chemotherapy and I have several other people from my family and community who have battled cancer.
Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?
I am motivated by the challenge of biking across the country while strengthening the support and hope for those affected by cancer in my family and beyond. This is a chance for me to advocate for a cause that has affected the lives of people I love while taking advantage of the opportunity to explore the beautiful geography of the US, human and physical, on bike. I am looking forward to improving my physical and mental shape in preparation for the ride so that I can maximize my impact on improving the quality of life for others. In this critical juncture in my life, I want to expand my lived experiences and challenge what I know about the world while improving my ability to empathize and promote change. This ride is a step towards this goal.
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 |
| Doug Trumbower | 08/03/2017 | $200.00 | Congratulations Spencer! What an awesome Journey you are on! I want to honor our Daughter Amelia Trumbower who has been cured on Melanoma this year! Thank you for all your help with helping others! Doug | Elizabeth Dye | 08/01/2017 | $50.00 | Bryan Bacehowski | 06/28/2017 | $20.00 | Great work Spencer! Miss you Mom...RIP. Down with cancer! | Ray Rickert | 06/23/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck, Spencer! Enjoy the downhills, and remember they wouldn't exist if not for the uphills. Every one will make you stronger! | John Oshman | 06/09/2017 | $50.00 | Your a good man Spencer!! | Dan Millmann | 06/06/2017 | $100.00 | Congratulations on exceeding your fundraising goal and best of luck for a great ride this summer. | Jeff Christensen | 06/06/2017 | $250.00 | What a wonderful thing to be doing! Good luck Spencer and everyone travelling with you! | Steven Reinen | 06/04/2017 | $20.00 | John Gerek | 05/30/2017 | $50.00 | Our family is dealing with this horrible disease right now. Happy to help you on this great journey. Be safe and have fun. | Paul and Jeanine Angeli | 05/28/2017 | $25.00 | Dan Wierzba | 05/27/2017 | $50.00 | What a great cause. Can't wait to hear about your experiences. Donation in memory of my Grandpa Ed Lassa. Have fun! | Brittany Meagher | 05/21/2017 | $35.00 | Best wishes! | Danette Carlton | 05/19/2017 | $25.00 | Doug Giageos | 05/17/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck Spencer! | Sara Uttech | 05/17/2017 | $25.00 | Jackie Connell | 05/16/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck, Spencer! Have fun and be safe! | Spencer Polk | 05/16/2017 | $5.00 | Kristi Johnson | 05/13/2017 | $100.00 | Thank you for giving of your time and energy to benefit others. Good luck! | Phil & Angie Van Houten | 05/13/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck! | Kirk & Eliz Contrucci | 05/11/2017 | $50.00 | Best wishes on your journey Spencer! | Mark and Bev Jones | 05/11/2017 | $25.00 | Good Luck Spencer! Praying for a Safe Journey!! | Robin Thuringer | 05/11/2017 | $25.00 | Best of luck!! | Erica Thuringer | 05/11/2017 | $10.00 | Don Rauls | 05/11/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck, Spencer! | Penny Magana | 05/11/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck on your journey. | Michelle Canada | 05/11/2017 | $50.00 | Wishing you all the best and safe travels on this amazing journey! Much love to you from Tori, Chris and Michelle | Brenda Calhoun | 05/11/2017 | $25.00 | So very proud of you and the rest of the riders. What an amazing journey, be safe and can't wait to read updates and see pictures! | Robert W Winters | 05/04/2017 | $100.00 | Dan and Jamie Day | 04/18/2017 | $200.00 | Proud of your dedication to this great cause! We will be supporting you through your journey and hope to be able to cheer you on in person! | Paul Perkins | 04/18/2017 | $100.00 | What a great cause Spencer. Enjoy the journey! | Jason Marty | 04/12/2017 | $100.00 | Norma Smith | 04/03/2017 | $100.00 | Wow !!! What an awesome journey for a great cause! Enjoy the ride and all the beautiful scenery. | Jess Billmeyer | 04/01/2017 | $250.00 | Way to go Spencer! Hoping I can ride with you when you are near Madison! Donation is for Ginny. | Julie and Rick McKy | 03/31/2017 | $200.00 | Wow, so proud of you Spencer that you have chosen to spend a portion of your summer vacation raising money and awareness to the suffering of cancer patients. We'll be cheering for you! | Tammi Hagensick | 03/23/2017 | $150.00 | Good Luck Spencer!!!! If you need some extra inspiration while riding you can always listen to some light roast! | Eddie Vicich & Hannah Lindmark | 03/22/2017 | $100.00 | Our thoughts are with you during this amazing journey. You have so much support behind you. Good luck Spencer!! | Mark Miller | 03/19/2017 | $125.00 | Thank you, Spencer. Blessings to you on your journey. | Lori Holmes | 03/19/2017 | $35.00 | Elizabeth Miller | 03/18/2017 | $50.00 | Thanks so much Spencer! Have a safe and wonderful adventure. | L.W. Meyer | 03/13/2017 | $250.00 | Good luck Spencer, you are a fine young man. I hope you have a great journey as you get to enjoy this great country. May your trip be safe and rewarding. Have fun and watch out for potholes! | Lois Cole | 03/06/2017 | $100.00 | Go get em! Be safe and have a great ride. | Lois Cole | 03/06/2017 | $100.00 | I hope you have a great journey across our great country. | Rebecca (and Todd) Miller | 03/05/2017 | $100.00 | Proud of you, Spencer! | Kim O'Donnell | 03/05/2017 | $100.00 | Thanks for raising money for cancer. Go Spencer Go!! | Helen Tenney | 03/05/2017 | $25.00 | Christie Polk | 02/27/2017 | $100.00 | Way to go Spencer! We are so proud of you! Mequon Polk Family | Arlene Lind | 02/15/2017 | $25.00 | MaryKay Theriault | 02/15/2017 | $75.00 | Mona Queoff | 02/15/2017 | $25.00 | Lisa Graham | 02/15/2017 | $75.00 | great job spencer! we will be cheering you on all ride!! | Ann and Anton Jensen | 02/13/2017 | $25.00 | Spencer, You continue to impress us! Enjoy! You will make memories of a lifetime. Dick and Ruth | Jackie Roessler | 02/13/2017 | $100.00 | We are so happy to support you, Spencer, and can't wait to follow your journey! | Przywara Family | 02/13/2017 | $50.00 | So excited for you to take this journey, Spencer! Your hard work and compassion for other is an inspiration for many | The Phil Swain Family | 02/13/2017 | $50.00 | Your efforts, both personal and philanthropic, are inspirational, Spencer. Proud to support your goals! | Natalie Peck | 02/11/2017 | $100.00 | Ernest Polk | 02/11/2017 | $100.00 | For my wife of 61 years who passed on Jan. 2, 2017 of lung cancer. | Bradford Jakel | 02/08/2017 | $200.00 | Keel Family | 02/06/2017 | $75.00 | Spencer: You are an awesome young man spending your summer doing something awesome! | Penny Schnabel | 02/06/2017 | $100.00 | Way to go Spencer. | Steven & Martha Tenney | 02/06/2017 | $50.00 | Thank you, Spencer, for taking on such an incredible challenge! Cancer has touched so many of us! | Vicki & Andy Marker | 02/05/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck Spencer! You're an amazing young man. | Pam Hying | 02/05/2017 | $50.00 | Brenda Calhoun | 02/04/2017 | $25.00 | Bless you Spencer for going on this journey for such an important cause. | Vicich Family | 01/22/2017 | $100.00 | Ride like the wind Spencer!! You have several guardian angels watching over you! Looking forward to watching this wonderful journey! | Spencer Polk | 01/16/2017 | $200.00 | We are proud of you Spencer. Stay strong and have fun! | Spencer Polk | 01/16/2017 | $50.00 | Good luck Spencer! | Spencer Polk | 01/16/2017 | $200.00 | Good luck on this amazing journey Spencer! | Spencer Polk | 01/08/2017 | $100.00 |
| Total | $5,600.00 | ||