Ulman Cancer Fund Announces Merger with 4K for Cancer

Combination of Organizations With a Shared Mission to  

Activate Young Adults in the Fight Against Cancer

Baltimore, Maryland - November 28, 2011 - The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCFYA) today announced the merger with 4K for Cancer (4K), an organization with a shared vision to empower and activate young adults in the fight against cancer.

4K for Cancer began as the Hopkins 4K for cancer in 2001 when a group of undergraduate students at Johns Hopkins University combined their desire to fight cancer with a goal to cycle 4,000 miles across the country. Each year, the organization coordinates a team of college students to cycle across the country while raising money and awareness for the fight against cancer.

4K for Cancer grew to become a stand-alone non-profit organization in 2008, and teamed up with UCFYA in 2011. The merger announced today will provide 4K for Cancer with the infrastructure and support necessary for growth, while leveraging the relationships both organizations have fostered with volunteers, donors, and strategic partners.

"UCFYA and 4K for Cancer are stronger as one and we're excited to welcome such an extraordinary organization," said UCFYA Executive Director Brock Yetso. "We share common values and a mission to support young adults with cancer by providing a platform for awareness and engagement through sport. We are humbled to have this partnership and believe the next chapter of the Ulman Cancer Fund and 4K will bring many successes that we are both anticipating - and those we can't even predict yet!"

According to 4K for Cancer Board of Directors Chairman and Founder Ryan Hanley, the merger unites two organizations that have similar histories, and an extraordinary base of supporters. Both organizations were founded on a college campus and have grown around the shared motivations of helping young adults and communities impacted by cancer.

"Our goal for the merger is to continue to empower our riders and alumni to make a positive impact in the cancer community, while improving the support that they receive to do so," Hanley said. "By teaming up with UCF, we will gain much needed infrastructure support while staying focused on our core mission."

For UCFYA, the addition of 4K for Cancer will enhance its ability to activate more people in the fight against cancer while using sport as a platform to raise substantial revenue to support the growth of UCFYA Patient Navigation Programs at cancer centers across the country. Over the next several weeks, 4K for Cancer will move one employee over to the UCFYA staff and four Directors over to the UCFYA Board of Directors. The merger is scheduled to be finalized with the State of Maryland in early January.

About Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults:

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF), founded in 1997, is the national leader in providing specialized support for young adults affected by cancer. With nearly 70,000 young adults diagnosed every year, our organization helps young people fight the disease and navigate treatment by providing access to information, support groups, and other specialized programs. UCF Patient Navigation Programs have set a national standard and can be accessed remotely or through onsite Patient Navigators at a growing number of hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region. UCF is a founding member of the LIVESTRONGTM Young Adult Alliance and a national pioneer in developing innovative approaches in cancer support. UCF enhances lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer. For more information, please visit, www.ulmancancerfund.org.

About 4K for Cancer:

The 4K for Cancer is dedicated to empowering young adults in uniting communities across the country in the fight against cancer through community service and support. 4K for Cancer began as the Hopkins 4K for Cancer in 2001 when a group of undergraduate students at the Johns Hopkins University decided to combine their desire to fight against cancer with their dream of cycling across the country. Founded by Ryan Hanley in the memory of his father who passed away from cancer, the 4K set off on the first 4,000-mile journeys from Baltimore to San Francisco in the summer of 2002.  The founding team included Jenn Hardy, Leah Blom, Kelly Hewitt and Brent Bass. Since its beginnings, 4K has rasied over $1Million to support the cancer fight in Baltimore, MD and communities across the country.

Media Contact:

Rachel Wiederhold

Rachel@ulmanfund.org

410-964-0202 ext. 107