Eighty eight young adults are spending their summer fighting cancer by biking across the country as part of the 11th annual 4K for Cancer. Split into three routes, these riders will spend 70 days and 4000+ miles on the road raising funds and awareness in the fight against young adult cancer. The ride began on May 27th in Baltimore, Md. and participants will finish their rides in Seattle, Wash., Portland, Or., or San Francisco, Calif. In select cities on the journey, the riders will donate their time to local cancer communities.
The San Francisco team will be traveling through Tennessee tomorrow and will spend the night at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga. Families and the Youth of the church will be providing meals, accommodation and usage of the fantastic Cumberland Youth Foundation swimming pool, to give the cyclists energy to continue their journey. First Cumberland’s Pastor, Dr. Gary Carver said that he is excited to welcome the committed cyclists to Chattanooga, “after all, the mission of our church is to share love by ministering to the needs of the heart, mind and body.”
4K for Cancer is a program of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF). 4K riders seek to “Cycle, Inspire, and Unite” as they raise awareness about cancer and provide monetary assistance and community service to cancer organizations across the nation. “4K for Cancer is a perfect example of young adults making a difference in the lives of their peers who are battling cancer,” said Brock Yetso, President and CEO of UCF. “They are voluntarily giving up their summer, their freedom, their jobs, and putting their lives on hold for 70 days to help people they’ve never met overcome a terrible disease. Their dedication and selflessness is truly humbling.”
Through a minimum personal fundraising commitment of $4,500 and donations collected along the route, riders raise money that directly supports the UCF Patient Navigation Programs. These programs offer comprehensive health services to young adult cancer patients, working in conjunction with multi-disciplinary medical care teams, social work staff, and other care providers. Funds raised also benefit a variety of cancer-related charities. Since it’s inception at Johns Hopkins University in 2001, 4K for Cancer has raised over $1 million for such charities as the American Cancer Society Hope Lodges, Ronald McDonald House, and scholarship funds of the Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults.