HISTORY & FOUNDER
At age 19, Doug Ulman was preparing for his sophomore year at Brown University. He was an active college student and a Division I soccer player.
During a routine jog one day, Doug began having problems breathing. After an ER visit, a consultation with a family physician, and a CT scan, Doug had surgery to remove a tumor from a rib in his back.
The tumor was determined to be malignant after several pathology tests and Doug was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma – cancer.
Within a year of his first cancer diagnosis, Doug was diagnosed with malignant melanoma twice.
Cancer changed the course of Doug’s life.
When he returned to school following his diagnosis in the fall of 1996, Doug faced a number of unanticipated hurdles. He struggled to find information and support programs that addressed the many issues he was dealing with, questions about physical activity & nutrition, relationships and dating, the emotional struggle of a life-threatening disease, and a return to his studies.
Frustrated by the lack of resources to speak to and support the unique needs of young adults affected by cancer, Doug and his family created The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
1997 – 2000
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults files for 501(c)3 status, making the initial venture into supporting young adults with cancer official.
The UCF website and college scholarship programs are launched and the first The Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults Guidebook, “NO WAY, It can’t be” is published with over 20,000 distributed to patients in all 50 states.
Doug receives a grant from Echoing Green Foundation to run UCF after graduating and the first UCF office opens outside of the Ulman’s house at Fila Headquarters in Sparks, MD.
UCF hires its first part-time employee and starts support groups in Columbia, MD, Providence, RI, and San Francisco, CA.
2001 – 2005
UCF hires its first Executive Director, Brock Yetso.
Marks over $1 million raised to further UCF mission since 1997. Establishes support groups in 15 cities across the U.S.
UCF co-chairs and authors Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control program and identifies patient navigation and survivorship as priorities.
Participates in publication of National Cancer Action Plan with NCI, CDC, and LIVESTRONG.
2006 – 2011
UCF launches Team Fight program.
Publishes “My Way” – writings by young adults about their cancer experience
Raise over $3 million since inception.
Launches first patient navigation program at University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center
Acquires Cancer to 5K program, allowing survivors to cross the finish line in Maryland and Washington D.C.
Launches holiday gift drive to serve patients and families each year.
Launches Blue Jeans {& Bowties} Ball
Launches second patient navigation program at Greater Baltimore Medical Center
Opens Baltimore City office
2012 – 2017
Over $500k awarded in college scholarships since 1999 to 100 young adults in all 50 states.
Acquires 4K for Cancer program.
Launches patient navigation program at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Launches patient navigation program at Walter Reed National Medical Military Center.
First Key to Keys bike ride takes place.
Launches patient navigation program at Children’s National Medical Center.
Cancer to 5K Expands to New York, Chicago, Boston, Irvine, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Denver, and Columbus.
Announce largest project to date – Ulman House.
2020
After 23 years operating as The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, we updated our name and refreshed our look. Our history and programs are still as impactful as ever – and we’re excited to start this new chapter as the Ulman Foundation.
