Tyler Berge is a senior at Oklahoma City University. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Boston, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

In May 2018, my little sister was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It has been eye opening to see how quickly a phone call can change the lives of an individual, a family, and a community. While having such a close family member affected by cancer, I have learned many things about life - it can be unpredictable, difficult, and sometimes unfair. Seeing this firsthand has taught me to never assume what someone else is going through at home and to appreciate every single interaction and relationship. Despite this hardship my family is facing, it has truly brought us together to support her. The number of people that have reached out to us near and far has truly been a gift. There are no words to describe my sister’s bravery and courage in the face of seven months of chemotherapy and radiation, losing her hair, and putting her life on hold while she continues to recover from this battle. I look at my seventeen-year-old little sister and I see the bravest person I know.

Why are you traveling 4,000 miles this summer with the Ulman Foundation?

I have had the desire to be a 4K runner since hearing about the organization in 2016. I love the idea of spending time on the open road spreading awareness for those affected by cancer. Raising money and meeting others with stories of their own about how cancer has affected their life sounds like a very uplifting experience. With the busyness of summer work and internships, I never really considered it being possible for myself. Now that I am a soon to be college graduate, I am realizing time moves quickly and some opportunities are truly once in a lifetime. With the corporate world on my horizon, I know I may never have the chance to do something like this again. It is the perfect time in my life to be young and give back and do something as unconventional as running across the country for 49 days. I hope to run for those who can’t - in honor of the fighters. This one is for you Tatum.

2019 marks the 18th 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 Foundation (Ulman). Interested in joining the fight? Apply to be a rider or runner a at www.4kforcancer.org! 

CHALLENGE:

Over 72,000 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:

Ulman Foundation changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, Ulman 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.

Ulman House - This year Ulman will open 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!