Dealing with CANCER is tough for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for adolescents and young adults (commonly abbreviated as “AYA”). If you’re reading my page now, I bet you’re either somewhere in that age range yourself or able to recollect on some of your life’s fondest memories occurring during those years. It’s a vital time in a person’s life to develop a sense of identity, self-worth, and body image; to form beliefs and integrate them into society; to create lasting relationships; to realize your potential and set and work towards your independent goals; and the list goes on. Not as easy as it sounds(!!!), especially not with the trials and tribulations that a cancer diagnosis, treatment side effects, endless financial responsibilities, and long term multi-organ and psychosocial risks pose!

As a 2017 Ulman Cancer Fund (UCF) Game Changer, I have the honor and privilege of working with a group of incredible young professionals to help make a positive impact on the lives of our AYA peers. Empowered by the UCF mission, we will serve this population and their loved ones by helping to build a supportive community, foster research and education programs for cancer-related issues, and raise funds to support vital (and free!) programs for adolescent and young adults, and their loved ones, who are afflicted by cancer. I am constantly inspired by and motivated by these folks, not only as a nurse practitioner, but as a fellow human being who strives to advocate for excellent health care, education, safety, and general quality of life for all.

Since learning of the Ulman Cancer Fund several years ago through my dear colleague and department director, Dr. Ken Cooke, I have sought out various ways to give back to this remarkable foundation that gives so much to the patients whom I care for as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner (NP) at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Pediatric Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplantation. Many of you have already helped the UCF by donating to my “Dancing with the Hopkins Stars” competition earlier this year, with the goal of making a difference for this beloved peer population of mine. Further, many of you have supported my holiday music album, “Simply Christmas” to support the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in memory of my late father who underwent three hematopoietic stem cell transplants. I am forever deeply grateful for all that you have given to these organizations and the people they benefit. I ask that you once again consider offering a donation to adolescents and young adults battling cancer, through my UCF Game Changer fundraising page.

Thank YOU for being a GAME CHANGER in these AYA’s lives.

I AM PROUD TO BE AN ULMAN CANCER FUND GAMECHANGER!

UCF GameChangers are young professionals going above and beyond.  They’re successful at work, committed to bettering their communities, and are leaders among their peers.  Each fall, a committee reviews applications and nominations to select the most deserving young professionals and recognizes them for their efforts by declaring them GameChangers. GameChangers agree to support UCF’s mission by serving the young adult cancer community and raising funds to support vital free programs for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer.

About the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that provides a community of crucial support to thousands of young adults with cancer through education, scholarship programs, a network of human and health care resources, and support services provided free of charge. Founded in 1997, UCF works at both the local and national level to ensure that all young adults impacted by cancer have a voice and the necessary resources to thrive. UCF changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults and their loved ones impacted by cancer.

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!