As classes come to a close this semester, a Russ College of Engineering and Technology student at Ohio University is running around campus training and prepping for an epic journey -- running across America to raise money and awareness for The Ulman Cancer Fund (UCF) for Young Adults.
Junior civil engineering student Illona Hartman, a native of The Netherlands, will depart San Francisco, California, on June 17, 2018, and make the 4,000-mile, 49-day, cross-country journey to Baltimore, Maryland, by Aug. 4 in the 4K for Cancer. Similar in format to a relay race, the run will group Hartman and the other college-aged participants in pairs, enabling the active runner to take turns with the resting teammate.
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults was founded in 1997 following Doug Ulman’s personal battle with cancer, and the frustration he and his family felt by the lack of resources for young adults affected by the illness. The 4K for Cancer itself started in fall 2001 as the Hopkins 4K for Cancer, when a group of Johns Hopkins University undergraduates decided to combine their goal of cycling across country with the desire to raise awareness and money for cancer. Now, after a merger with UCF in 2011, the 4K has raised over $5 million.
A long-time athlete, Hartman says her participation serves as more than just a way to promote awareness or raise money for cancer: It’s personal. Upon learning of her infant cousin’s Leukemia diagnosis, Hartman got involved to support her family.
“My family thinks it’s a great way to help me deal with what’s going on at home,” Hartman said. “Sharing the story will give support to my cousin as well. It feels like I’m doing something.”
Hartman said her passion for running intensified during summer 2017, then she began racing, including at the Oct. 2017 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, finishing as first female. She discovered the 4K for Cancer via Instagram and felt called to participate, but her cousin’s diagnosis sealed her decision.
“It still amazes me that there’s not a feasible cure for cancer yet. A lot of people, families and communities are affected by it, so I just wanted to help out,” Hartman said.
Hartman must raise a minimum of $4,500, all of which will be used directly by UCF to support young adults with cancer and their families. So far, she has received more than $3,000 towards her goal from direct donations and fundraisers.
“I was really scared in the beginning because that’s a lot of money … but people in America are so generous,” Hartman said. “At home, the culture on non-profit organizations is a little different. I’ve already raised so much more here than I did at home, which I didn’t expect.”
To get involved, make a donation, or purchase a candle or personalized kitchenware. Follow Hartman’s journey on her blog, or Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts.