Running across America to fight cancer

Alexis Schindler

Staff writer

aschindler1@murraystate.edu

Photo courtesy of Krystan Proctor

Krystan Proctor, a junior at Murray State University and Murray native, will participate in a cross-country 4K this summer to support the fight against cancer.

“The Ulman Foundation enables groups of college students to undertake cycling and running journeys across the United States with the goal of offering hope, inspiration and support to nearly 300 communities along the way,” according to the press release. 

Proctor has several ties to the cancer community, one being her mother, a breast cancer survivor, who was diagnosed when Proctor was 10 years old.

“I do understand how traumatizing it can be and how drastically it changes everything and everyone around you,” she said on her 4K for Cancer fundraising page. “My perspective on life has changed so much since then. I have learned to appreciate the relationships I have, and I have done what I can to not only support the cancer community but to do everything I can to keep myself healthy and my body active so I can help those who can’t.”

Proctor said the Ulman Foundation helps young adults in the fight against cancer.

“There are so many young adults that are going through this and they feel isolated and alone,” she said. “Their career and schooling is put on hold. The Ulman Foundation does a lot to help young adults through this process. They give them a home, resources and programs to help them through it.”

Proctor said she learned about the Foundation and 4K from an Instagram ad.

“It had a picture of a couple of runners at a national park,” she said. “It said ‘Do you want to run across the country for cancer?’ I said ‘Yes, I do.’”

Proctor’s goal is to raise $4500 in support of the Ulman Foundation and their work. She is currently at $4,293.63 which is about 95 percent of the way to her goal.

Proctor said it’s been hard to raise the money but through the process she has gotten to meet various people and make them more aware of the issue these young adults are facing.

“I think it’s become more real for them as for me,” she said.

According to the Ulman Foundation 4K for Cancer website, the Foundation’s mission is to “change lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer.”

There are two running teams, Boston and Baltimore, and two biking teams, Seattle and San Francisco. Each team will start and end in different places.

Proctor’s team, the Boston running team, will start their journey in San Francisco on June 16 and will end it in Boston on August 3. During this 49-day journey, the team will travel over 4,000 miles as a whole.

According to the Ulman Foundation 4K for Cancer website, “Our participants ensure these miles count by dedicating them to others impacted by cancer and writing the dedications on the back of their legs, to draw strength from daily. Although our riders and runners begin their journeys dedicating their efforts to friends and family members who have been affected by cancer – that dedication naturally spreads to include the people whose stories we hear and the communities we support as we travel across the country.”

There are set days for running and set days for resting.

“On running days, participants run between 6 and 16 miles each. On rest days they volunteer in local hospitals, offering services to cancer patients, and providing two scholarships to young adults affected by cancer,” accrording to the press release.

Participants were sent training schedules to prepare them for the 4K.

Proctor said she never thought she would be running like she does now and some days it’s hard but she is excited for the race.

“I never thought I could do it,” she said. “I really want to encourage other people that yes you can do it. Even if you can’t do the run you can do something else. You can volunteer or just give a little money here and there. Every little bit of volunteering, donating, moral support and raising awareness about different issues, it helps a lot.”

Proctor said she hopes to get more people doing the cross-country 4K or one of the other Ulman programs, such as 4K Trails, next year.

“I’ve always wanted to make a difference,” she said. “They got the short end of the stick, and it really just hurts my heart that they are having to go through this. I am physically able to run this and I’m capable of doing some other things as well. I want to do as much as I can so that they can live their best lives too.”

For more information on how to donate to the cause or how to participate in the 4K or other Ulman programs go to thenews.org.

Visit Shaffer Coffee Co. today and mention Krystan Proctor or the 4K for Cancer fundraiser to help her reach her goal.

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