Amber Rehberg is a junior at the University of Rhode Island. In the summer of 2019, she 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 Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

When I was 5 years old, my grandmother, Cynthia Guertin, passed away from Ovarian Cancer. When anyone talks about my grandmother, they speak of her in the most graceful, and compassionate of ways. I can't even describe the type of admiration and appreciation people have for her. She was simply, incredible.

I was only able to get a glimpse of what life was like with her, I can only remember bits and pieces of her presence. I can see her grace and influence through home videos, and can hear her wisdom and humor through stories and pictures - but I will never be able to get it first hand. I will never be able to experience the love she radiated to all.

I grew up without my grandmother, but I was lucky enough to know her love for a short time. My sister and younger cousins didn't. They don't have a memory stored in the back of their mind to turn to when trying to grasp that connection. My mother has to live without her mother, so do my uncle and two aunts. My grandfather had to live without his wife for 13 years. The cancer that took my grandmother didn't just take a life, it took a livelihood, it took love, it took family. My grandmother influenced so many people with her grace and love, and every one of those people was affected by her death. More recently, my grandfather passed away from Acute Meloid Leukemia. Similarly, my family and all who knew him were affected by his death.

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

Someone once told me that Servant Leadership is taking your privileges and abilities, and using them to serve those who aren’t given the same. As I have been becoming more familiar with the cancer community, I realize that my health and ability is a privilege. I didn't ask to be healthy, just like people don't ask to have cancer. If have the ability to live a cancer-free, healthy life, 4K is a way for me to serve those in the cancer community. Cancer research needs dedicated, passionate people to spark change and raise awareness.

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!