I have some exciting news! Next summer (2020), I will be running across America! Yes, you did read that correctly. I am going with a team of young adults from across the country as well as one of my best friends from college! The program is called 4K for Cancer. The most exciting part about this run is that I get to raise money and awareness for young adults with cancer. Did you know that 72,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer every year? That’s ages 18-24 which is the prime time of learning to live on your own and getting some college debt. Now imagine doing that with cancer?! The Ulman Foundation is the organization that hosts this run and impacts lives of young adults every day. On the 4,000 mile plus journey we will visit cancer centers to meet with patients and give out scholarships to inspire lives. We will also run together as a team and bring awareness for the cancer age that is often forgotten.
By now I am sure you’re wondering how I am going to run across the country. I would be too. The most important thing to note is that I am not alone and am working with a wonderful group of people along the way. We do it in a relay format running 2 miles at a time with a partner. There will be around 30 people on my team, meaning I will get to form some really great friendships. The run lasts for 49 days and has 10 rest days where we meet with the cancer patients. The number of miles a day ranges from six to sixteen miles. We stay in host locations and eat lunch along the road. (There’s a button below if you want to read more about it!) Now I feel like most of you might be wondering why. Why on earth would you want to run that many miles in 49 days? I want to run for my grandfather and for my close family friend, Bill. Some of you may know my cancer story, but honestly I didn’t understand it until this foundation made me aware of it. When I was really young, I lost my grandfather to cancer. I never got to meet him, talk to him, see him smile or laugh, or do anything that my family tells me that he was so special for. Cancer took him away just a few months after I was born leaving me to miss having him as part of my life. Bill, a close family friend, was in my life though growing up. He became the grandfather I didn’t get to have. He loved me, took pride in what I did and supported me through everything. I did get to talk to him, see his smile and hear his laugh, but a couple of years ago cancer took him too. I didn’t realize what was happening at the time. I understood it was cancer from my grandfather, but I didn’t realize that because of it I was going to lose him forever. Every summer we would go up to Maine, something that has been a family tradition since my mom was a kid. Bill would come too and read his book, watch me swim and he made Maine what it was. Now I feel like Maine will never be the same without him. When he was diagnosed with cancer, I didn’t get it, but when we visited him it slowly sank in. It came to the point where I just couldn’t go in to see him because I didn’t want to remember him how he was in the hospital bed because that wasn’t him. He was so much more, so much stronger than what cancer was allowing him to be. In the end, he passed away leaving cancer to win. I don’t want cancer to win and I want people to know they are never alone be spreading awareness. By doing this run I can not only raise money, but raise awareness for the 72,000 families that may feel like they are struggling on their own. In order to run in the summer of 2020, I need to raise a minimum of $4,500. My goal doesn’t stop there though. I hope to be able to raise $10,000 to go to people who are my age with cancer and help them achieve their dreams. Would you be willing to donate? There is a button below where you can see my fundraising link as well as my progress! There is also an address where you can send a check too which is here below: Ulman Foundation, Attn: 4k for Cancer 1215 E Fort Ave, Suite 104 Baltimore, MD 21230 Even if you’re not able to give or don't feel led to, I hope that you will support me by following me here! I plan to post almost every day during the run about my journey and would love for you to be there with me. Make sure to like the link on Facebook to receive updates and follow along! Also, if you are able to share this link with your friends and family I would greatly appreciate it. Remember this is for more than just raising money but raising awareness as well! So please please please pass the word along!! Whether it’s to following along or to donate some money. Finally, if you donate and have a loved one in mind, I would love to dedicate a day to them while I am on the run! I plan to write the names of your loved one on my legs for the entire day to remember them while I am running. That is the least I can do to honor you through this race as well. (If you would like to do that please write their name in the comments on my fundraising website with “dedication day” or, if you write a check, let me know so I can make sure a day is dedicated to them!) If you have any questions too, please comment below!! I love answering questions about the Ulman Foundation and 4k for Cancer! I would also love to talk to you if you want to call as well, let me know!! I am so so excited for this future endeavor and I am so happy that you will be here with me as well to experience it! Don’t forget to like the link on Facebook for updates and share it with your friends and family.
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August 2022
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