Doug Ulman

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1999

Doug Ulman

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults

http://www.ulmanfund.org

Ellicott City, Maryland, United States

Health

The Bold Idea:

In the normal course of life, young adults go forth with optimism and idealism. When the reality of illness and the possibility of death rob them of this special perspective, they have a difficult adjustment to make. Issues of independence, living arrangements and logistics (as many young adults do not live near their families), fertility, dating, managing medical care or nutrition, insurance (as many young adults do not have coverage), making medical decisions and dealing with friends who are well meaning but inexperienced in dealing with seriously ill friends are often overwhelming to people in this age bracket. At a time when they are becoming independent, these cancer patients are forced to rely on so many others to help ensure their health and well-being.

Yong people must learn to advocate for themselves and to become informed consumers of medical care. After medical decisions are made, it becomes necessary to deal with emotions, relationships and social interaction. The Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults was founded to provide support programs, education, and resources, free of charge, to benefit young adults, their families and friends, who are affected by cancer, and to promote awareness and prevention of cancer.

Biography:

Doug Ulman is a three-time cancer survivor and national cancer survivorship advocate. After overcoming chondrosarcoma during his sophomore year in college and malignant melanoma twice since, in 1997 Doug founded the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, a non-profit organization to provide support, education, and resources to young adults, their families and friends who are affected by cancer. He served as Executive Director of the Ulman Cancer Fund for four years.
 
In 2001, Doug joined the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) as director of survivorship and today serves as the Foundation's president. Founded by champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, the LAF provides the practical information and tools to help people affected by cancer live life on their own terms.
 
Doug has received numerous awards for his service to the community. In 2002, Doug was selected from more than 20,000 individuals to appear on more than 15 million boxes of Wheaties Energy Crunch as an American Everyday Hero. In 2003, Doug was selected as the Austin Under-40 award winner in the healthcare category. In 2005, Doug was honored by both the American Psychosocial Oncology Society and the Association of Oncology Social Workers.
 
Doug currently holds numerous civic and charitable board positions across the country and he is serving a four-year term as the Chairman of the National Cancer Institute Director's Consumer Liaison Group. He also sits on the executive board of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and is a founder of the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance.
 
Following his three cancer diagnoses, Doug returned to the soccer field and helped Brown University to three Ivy League Championships in four years. He has participated in ten marathons, including a 100-mile marathon in the Himalayan Mountains.