Karrah Weaver is a senior at the University of Maryland. In the summer of 2017 she will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 49 day, 4000+ mile run from San Francisco, CA to Baltimore, MD. 

What is your connection to the cancer community?

While attending high school in a small Maryland town, two fellow students were diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma within the same year. After long, tough battles, they passed away within two months of each other. This was my first encounter with the disease, but unfortunately not the last. After registering for this event, I found out that a close friend of my mother had lost her battle with breast cancer. I plan to dedicate a day of my journey, and run in memory of Josh, Katie, and Carolyn along with many others.

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

I will be graduating from the University of Maryland in the spring of 2017, meaning I will have a summer break for the first time in three years. I could not think of a better way to spend my summer than traveling 4,000 miles across the country with my new friends for a great cause. Due to the fact that I was only 16 years old when I had my first experience with cancer, I did not fully understand everything the families went through. Seven years later, I have a better understanding and I want to do my part to help the world that faces the gruesome battle with cancer far too often. I stumbled upon 4K for Cancer on Facebook and immediately fell in love with the idea.  I knew right away that I had to become part of the team. I am incredibly excited and thankful for this life changing experience. 

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!