The Wingspan

Centennial High School's Daily Online News Source

The Wingspan

The Wingspan

4K for Cancer (Amy Myers)

One bike. Seventy Days. Over 4,000 miles. Sound tough? Not for these 4k for Cancer participators.

The 4k for Cancer organization began their mission in 2002 to raise money for cancer through cross country bicycling 4,000 miles in a span of seventy days. College students and young adults raise a minimum of $4,500 to join the 4k challenge. Riders can choose from three routes to complete the course: Baltimore to Seattle, Baltimore to Portland, or Baltimore to San Francisco. Since their start, the organization has never raised below $1,000,000. All raised funds go to various support programs and services for cancer patients and families.

This year though, 4k for Cancer has teamed up with the organization called the Ulman Cancer Fund for young adults, who has the similar motive of aiding and supporting those affected by cancer. Together, these organizations have formed the new program called Young Adult Cancer Support (YACS).  This program remains on college campuses to provide support, motivation, as well as some financial assistance for students affected by cancer.

Ella Lee is a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park and a Centennial alumnus. She has been dedicated to finishing the seventy-day bicycle trip from Baltimore to Seattle, and has gained many supporters in the process.

“I’ll be dedicating my miles to many different people this summer because without them my ride wouldn’t be possible,” Lee states.

But the two true motivators to Lee’s actions lie with Zach Lederer and Keeley Imel, who both face their own battles with cancer. “Knowing how strong and optimistic they’ve been through their struggle inspires me to ride across the country for people like them,” Lee mentions.

So far, Lee has raised $1,260 out of the $4,500 goal, and she is eager to continue her fundraising until the end. Lee has already collected money through her first fundraiser at the local Jilly’s in Ellicott City. “We are all really thankful for everyone who attended because it means a lot to me, Kevin Barnes, Raymond Kim, Zach Lederer, and Keeley Imel,” responds Lee.

Starting May 27, Ella Lee will join her friends Raymond Kim, Kevin Barnes, and the other sixty-two riders of 4k for Cancer at the Inner Harbor of Baltimore on their journey across the nation, reaching out to cancer victims as they reach the finish line.

Follow the “Zaching” trend on Tumblr at zaching.tumblr.com, and join Ella Lee, Michael Bowers, and others on March 7th at Uno’s for the next 4k for Cancer fundraiser.

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