Vincent DeMario is a graduate student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In the summer of 2018, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco to Baltimore, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

An unfathomable number of individuals encounter Cancer in some capacity at some point during a lifetime, whether it be through personal diagnosis or that of a family member or friend. While I have been fortunate not to have any family members who have lost the battle to cancer, my grandmother's recent treatment for Lymphoma revealed the reality that no one is impervious to cancer - it hit close to home. This, in addition to witnessing other family friends encounter the scary diagnosis, treatment, and some having lost the battle, has exposed me to how cancer infects more than the individual person - it has the capacity to spreads and cripple an entire family or community. Yet, in the face of it all, it has been my experience that the individual diagnosed with cancer displays an overpowering positive attitude that inspires all those around him or her. There is much we can learn about happiness, reflection, relationships, family, and many other important life lessons from individuals who have faced cancer head-on and from their close family members.

No one should have his or her life cut short by cancer, nor should anyone have to experience losing a family member or friend to such a tragedy. All of this being said, I have always been motivated by the hope, perseverance, and positive outlook by all those affected by cancer.

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

This is the opportunity of a lifetime. In no other circumstance could one run from coast to coast, spend time with those affected by cancer in facilities across the country, and engage in service all while building lasting relationships and memories with peers from all walks of life. Having been pursuing a career in healthcare for the greater portion of my short life, I have recognized how one can so easily lose sight of the big picture. Tragedy affects everyone in a different capacity, and it is our responsibility to embrace the stories of all those around us and lend a helping hand when needed. Running with the Ulman Cancer Fund allows the chance to engage with individuals whose lives have been altered by cancer, and placing names and faces in the context of the bigger picture makes the journey worth every step.

This is for Mom-mom, G.G., and all of those connected to the cancer community. 

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!