Isabelle Stern is a senior at Virginia Tech. In the summer of 2018 she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49-day, 4,000+ 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?

Unfortunately, all too many loved ones have battled cancer. My grandmother, Isabelle, passed away at a young age from breast cancer. The fact that cancer made it so I was unable to share life and make memories with my grandmother is upsetting, and I wish this was not the case. During my sophomore year of high school, I lost one of my best friends, Kganya, to Leukemia after she battled it for nearly 3 years. Kganya was the most radiant, optimistic, and fun-loving person I have met. She wanted to make others smile, and her laugh was truly contagious. Earlier this year, one of my family’s close friends, who was like an uncle to me, lost his battle to kidney cancer. He encouraged me to love the world through his love of travel, meeting people, reading, and art. 

Since Kganya’s passing, I have raised money for cancer research through Play 4 the Cure field hockey games to benefit the National Foundation for Cancer Research, and I have been committed to Relay for Life at Virginia Tech for the past three years.

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

Each of these individuals have been among the most influential people in my life. and I want to run this journey to spread their love of life and adventure in addition to forming relationships with other people in the cancer community across America. Running and seeing the country by foot would be an incredible way for me to keep their memories and passions alive, while combining them with my own passions for travel and running. I think the best way to learn about the world is by meeting as many people in it as I can, and I would be honored to meet the young cancer patients and their families. I love meeting new people and seeking adventures, and this experience would challenge me in thrilling ways to reach incredible goals with my teammates.

Both Kganya and Uncle Richard were the happiest people I have ever met with the most innate sense of curiosity and adventure for the world. Kganya reached out to everyone she saw—stranger or not, and her desire to help others find happiness was truly inspiring. Travelling was so important to Uncle Richard, and he always challenged me to travel far and love widely. There is so much to learn, and he wanted to be connected to others globally as much as possible. When I saw him for the last time in hospice earlier this spring, he begged me to pursue my passions regardless of any obstacles that came about and to learn as much about other people through travel as I possibly could. Although I never had the change to meet my grandmother, Isabelle, it would be an honor to keep her memory alive, as well. 

Since I was little, running has been one of my favorite activities because it allows me to see the world as an amazing journey that other forms of transportation and travel do not allow as well. When I run, I feel truly connected to the people I encounter, to the community and environment through which I run, and my thoughts. Running brings out my best self and makes me truly excited to take on life’s challenges.  

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!