Stephanie Edwards is a senior at Villanova 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, CA to New York, NY. 

What is your connection to the cancer community?

I, like many, have had numerous family members that have been stricken with cancer, in turn affecting so many others. I lost both my grandfathers and my uncle to cancer, but I'm happy to share that both my grandmothers are cancer survivors. While dealing with this horrific illness can be frightening, overwhelming, and seemingly impossible, I have witnessed how it compels families and communities to come together and fight the disease as one. I want to play a bigger role in that effort.  

So often cancer patients need to draw strength from others in order to have a fighting chance. I want to dedicate my 4K journey in remembrance of those I've lost, in celebration of those who have survived, and to being that source of inspiration and hope for those whose lives I may touch along the way.

Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

I have had my own share of personal medical challenges. As an adolescent I was diagnosed with scoliosis and had to wear a back brace for 6 years. As a college student, I contracted mononucleosis multiple times which resulted in Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus, creating bouts of depression and anxiety. Overcoming these obstacles was difficult, but I realize it couldn't compare to what my running coach went through as a stage 4 cancer patient.  

The intensity and severity of his treatments were no match for his mental will and drive to survive. Our whole community rallied around him and his family, and I'm happy to say he is miraculously cancer-free. By the way, he recently completed a 50 mile Ultramarathon and is competing in Iron Man Triathalons in support of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. His passion and purpose for running continues to inspire me to use running to make a difference in the cancer community. My 4,000 mile journey has multiple layers of opportunity for myself and others to pull communities and people together across the country in the fight against cancer.

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!