Meldrick Umahon is a graduate of Seton Hall University. In the summer of 2017, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco, CA, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

My college experience enhanced my involvement with cancer awareness when cancer started to affect close family and friends.  I’m inspired by the amount of people that come together to fight cancer through the many charitable walks that I’ve been to and still love going to.  Last year, I lost someone who I considered a second mom to me; and recently, I have college friends who have lost their battle, have been diagnosed, and have beaten cancer.  I learned from them to embrace life and to share the moments of being alive, despite the outcome.  They’ve taught me that cancer doesn’t have to dictate the rest of your life.

Why are you traveling over 4000 miles this summer with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults?

The 4K promotes a healthy lifestyle while being an advocate of changing the world.  I'm riding to better my health as well as use this platform to encourage my friends and family to see in a different light and help those who fight the battle to those who fight to find a cure.  Like the 4K, the cancer community is a team, from its supporters to those affected directly - we are always here for each other!  This opportunity allows me to support the community in a new way as I continue to pursue my studies in medicine.

2017 marks the 16th 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 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!