Vanessa Killian is a graduate student at Arizona State University. 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 Boston, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community? 

Growing up, my neighborhood friend Linzey had cancer. I don't remember her before it. An overlooked tumor turned into 10 years of fighting, and eventually losing to cancer. Despite all of this, Linzey was always a happy child, I remember coloring Winnie the Pooh in our tree house, and drinking too much lemonade on New Year's Eve. Most of my memories involve her growing up, and they still involve her family.

My grandfather is also fighting cancer, and although he's too stubborn to succumb to it, he is slowing down.

A best friend of mine in high school also recently hit her two year mark for being cancer free. And I couldn't be more proud. She was a rock for me then, and is still a bubbly and bright beautiful young woman.

We are all touched by cancer in one way or another. It is how we support those around us that makes the difference.

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

I am passionate about teaching students how to live and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. I believe in being a role model, and demonstrating that no matter what, there are people who care, and no matter how hard it feels, there's a positive way to look at things. In travelling with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, I have the opportunity to help others, as well as experience and learn from my peers. Listening to the diverse group I'll be travelling with, along with sharing my experiences is how change is made. And I hope to make a difference.

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!