I am a Graduate student at Mission College with a degree in Fire Management. On June 2nd, I will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to San Francisco, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation.

What is your connection to the cancer community?

My grandmother Mary Phillips was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in 2003 and unfortunately passed away in 2007 which has left a lasting impact on me.  After her diagnosis,  my dad immediately sought out a way to help, so he decided to join up with Team in Training and ran his first marathon in Honolulu.   Although I also wanted to join him for this event, my doctor said I was too young as a 9 year old to participate in the marathon so I did what I could by helping volunteer with all of the fundraising efforts.  During that 4 year period of time of my grandmothers’ illness, my parents continued their association with TNT for another 3 seasons where they raised approximately ~  $50K to support cancer research funding.  

Once I got older, I also personally participated with Team in Training in 2016 and ran my first marathon in Seattle and raised over ~ $5K for cancer research.   Unfortunately, cancer hasn’t only affected my grandmother in our family.  From my cousin with testicular cancer to my aunt with skin cancer, we have known the cancer community very well and have supported research fundraisers since I can remember.  Because of these examples and my awareness of young adults who have also been impacted by cancer, it’s now my turn to make my connection to the cancer community a lifetime commitment and do what I can to make a difference in other people’s lives.

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

I am travelling this incredible distance with the Ulman Foundation for many reasons:

1).  I have been involved with the Cancer community ever since my grandmother got diagnosed and have been looking for another way I can give back to them and help them in any way possible.  What a great event to help further the cause to find a cure and do what we can together.  We need to continue to find a way to beat this horrible disease.

2).  I’ve always wanted to push the boundaries of what is humanly possible.  This is a great example of pushing those limits to ride my bike across the country ~  4000 miles over 70 days and the chance to see our beautiful country, and help young adults in need of a cure.

3).  I love riding my bike and this would be an epic voyage that I will remember for the rest of my life. Not only will I be able to help create more awareness for the Ulman Foundation but I will be able to do it while riding a bike with a great group of young adults.

If you would like to follow the journey, I will be posting on a regular basis to my blog www.spencerphillips25.wordpress.com or on Instagram (@spencerphillips25)

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!