Since 1997, the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is a leading voice in the young adult cancer movement.
For the past decade, the organization has been enhancing lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer. A three-time cancer survivor by age 20, Doug Ulman and his family quickly learned how few support resources and services existed for young adult cancer patients and survivors. Frustrated by this void and motivated by the desire to help others, the Ulman family founded the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
Together with its network of friends, survivors, and other support organizations in the cancer community, the Ulman Cancer Fund envisions a world in which all young adults affected by cancer would have the support and access to resources that they need to thrive.
Our Mission – The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is to enhance lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer.
Support Programs, Projects and Resources:
- Patient Navigation Services – provided to improve the ability of young adults to manage their own cancer experiences and long-term cancer survival through:
- Access to support resources tailored specifically to young adults
- Increased knowledge of their disease, treatment options and lifelong implications of treatment choices
- •Effective communication with their medical care team
- UCF offers two types of navigation for young adult cancer patients (15-39 years old) and survivors - remote and on-site. All services are FREE of charge and open to family members and loved ones.
- National College Scholarship Program – established to support the financial needs of young adults whose lives have been impacted by cancer and are seeking a higher education. This program allows young adults diagnosed with cancer, or young adults who have a parent with cancer, to continue their post secondary education.
- Support & Networking Groups – provided in partnership with other organizations across the country, these groups provide young adults with opportunities for peer support, activities, networking, and psychosocial education. Since inception, the organization has created and/or funded over 15 groups nationwide.
- Visionary Grants - The UCF provides grants to grass roots organizations that focus on bridging the gap in psychosocial services available for young adults. Our Visionary Grants Program looks for both traditional and novel approaches to support this often overlooked population in the cancer community.
- Our Publications – supportive and educational literature provided free of charge to individual survivors and oncology professionals.
- NO WAY, It Can’t Be! A Guidebook for Young Adults Facing Cancer
- MY WAY: Writings of Young Adult Cancer Survivors
- Survivors & Loved Ones’ Network – provided in partnership with other organizations, we connect young adults diagnosed with cancer to survivors who share similar diagnoses or life situations.
- Web site – one of the most visited sites by young adults dealing with cancer, provides education and prevention information. www.ulmancancerfund.org
Grass Roots Events/Fundraisers
Many people choose to hold private functions to fund-raise for UCF. In 2007, some examples were: happy hours, art shows, executive forums, barbecues and private auctions.
Other events include:
• UCF Special Events • Annual Howard Life Festival
• Annual Awards Gala • Annual Golf Classic
Endurance Events and Programs
Team FIGHT – fundraising team created in 2008. Men and women can choose to join Team FIGHT and compete in a race event while fundraising for the UCF. Team members receive team uniforms, race registration and training packages. Race events range from 5K’s to marathons.
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is located at 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite G1, Columbia, MD 21044.