Victoria Bricker is a senior at University of Colorado. In the summer of 2019, she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to Seattle, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation

What is your connection to the cancer community?

Cancer has affected my family throughout my life. Most immediately is my father going through treatment twice for lymphoma while I was in high school and when I attended the University of Iowa. During my dad's bone marrow transplant at the U of Iowa Hospital I visited as often as I could and the health care team there was absolutely amazing and has driven me to work towards being a nurse oncologist; along with the ongoing research and room for growth with treatments. I am currently volunteering with the Cancer to 5K program through the Ulman Fund and work as a nurses assistant on the oncology and BMT floor at a hospital. Through my experiences I have learned and seen that the cancer community is strong and full for fighters. These fighters also include the families and loved ones; for this I am riding for my father, my aunt Kim who passed, other family members who have gone through treatments, and those who have touched my heart at the hospital.

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

4,000 miles seems like a quite a feat; however, it is not comparable to those battling cancer and balancing life. I am riding to help support those young adults who have put some of their life aspirations on pause. Along with supporting them I am excited to be a part of this is amazing opportunity to bring awareness country-wide, hearing personal stories, and connecting with various communities.

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!