Cycle. Inspire. Unite. Young Adults Cycle Cross-Country In The Fight Against Cancer
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Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivorship rates haven’t increased in comparison with all other age groups. 70,000 AYAs are diagnosed with cancer annually. The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults provides patient navigation & resources to ensure unique needs of AYAs are addressed by doctors.
The 4K for Cancer, the longest annual charity bicycle ride in the world, departs every Memorial Day Weekend from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor with a simple goal: Cycle. Inspire. Unite. 88 college students spend 70 days cycling over 4,000 miles to support the efforts of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF).
4K cyclists dedicate their summers to enhancing lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer. 2012 will mark the 11th anniversary riders have made this journey under the 4K for Cancer banner.
Since its inception, the 4K has raised over $1.5 million dollars and more than 400 students have participated in the ride. The 2012 team is comprised of cyclists from 37 states and three different continents. In order to maximize awareness, the 2012 cyclists are divided into three teams. Each team will wind their way through a combined 28 different states, with a ride ending in San Francisco, Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA.
Throughout the journey, they rely on generous local hosts, such as churches and community centers, to provide them with food and shelter. Spending 70 days in adverse conditions would be physically and emotionally challenging for anyone, but these cyclists are able to overcome all challenges by uniting as a team and remembering why they ride.
All 88 cyclists have been affected by cancer either directly through a personal diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one. “The 4K for Cancer is a perfect example of young adults making a difference in the lives of their peers who are battling cancer,” said Brock Yetso, President and CEO of UCF. “They are voluntarily giving up their summer, their freedom, their jobs, and putting their lives on hold for 70 days to help people they’ve never met overcome a terrible disease. Their dedication and selflessness is truly humbling.”
The 4K ride is the culmination of nearly a years worth of fundraising efforts by 88 college students. All 4K cyclists raised a minimum of $4,500 each for the ride. The cyclists will continue to fundraise and collect donations along their routes. The 2012 team has raised over $455,000 so far and they hope to reach the $500,000 mark prior to the end of their rides. The funds raised by the riders directly support the UCF Patient Navigation Programs. These programs offer comprehensive health services to young adult cancer patients, working in conjunction with multi-disciplinary medical care teams, social work staff, and other care providers.
Currently, UCF has four patient navigation programs in place at Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland’s Greenebaum Cancer Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and Georgetown’s Lombardi Cancer Center. Funds raised also benefit higher education scholarship funds of the UCF. The 4K riders will have the opportunity to provide higher education scholarships to young adults affected by cancer they meet in the communities throughout their journey.
More About This Charity
Region
Northeast
Category
Health and Well Being
Name
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
Mission
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults enhances lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer.
Impact
- This Achievement raised $456,000
- This charity raised $1,000,000 in the past year
- This Achievement helped 810 people
- This charity helped 17,968 people in the past year
- A new patient navigation program was established at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center & 30 scholarships distributed in the US.
Works In
United States
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