Elizabethtown College Master of Business Administration (MBA) student Cassidy Dunn ’21 M23 has big plans this summer to run across the country to support the Ulman Foundation’s 4K for Cancer. The Ulman Foundation is a non-profit organization that changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer.
Dunn, who graduated from Etown with a bachelor’s degree in Business Data Science in 2021, has wanted to participate in the 4K for Cancer since she first learned about it in the summer of 2019. When the event was canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19, she was disappointed. However, with the additional time, Dunn was able to raise her fundraising goal from $10,000 to $15,000.
Dunn and her team of approximately 15 runners will be starting the 4K in Baltimore on June 26 and will make their way to San Francisco by August 13. Each member of her team will run six to 16 miles a day in a relay-style run.
She says she is looking forward to being able to do service as she runs and meets cancer patients along the way. During her run, they will give out scholarships to cancer patients, which will have been funded by the fundraising she’s done over the past year.
Dunn says she runs specifically for those who are not able to, specifically her grandfather she never got to meet and her close family friend, Bill.
“Cancer has such a huge impact on lives and when people our age get cancer it is often forgotten and not thought about as much,” Dunn said. “I hope to spread awareness for an age that is often forgotten. Hearing stories about how almost everyone I meet is impacted by cancer inspires me to keep going so I can make even just a small difference.”
Dunn chronicles her preparation for the 4K for Cancer in her blog, Pieces of Happiness, which she started in her First Year Seminar class at Etown with Professor of Sociology Michele “Koz” Kozimor.
“That class and Dr. Koz inspired me to start my blog and make a difference in as people’s lives as I can,” Dunn said. “I use my blog to share my 4K for Cancer journey because it is a place where I can share the impact it has, and people are able to easily follow along.”
Although balancing her MBA workload with a full-time job, training for the 4K, fundraising, and running her blog has been challenging, Dunn has found great support at Etown, and she has always enjoyed her training.
“I really appreciate the flexibility that comes with the MBA program, and the professors have been really kind and helpful so far,” Dunn said. “Training for 4K is also time for me to breathe and relax so I am able to stay focused on everything else.”
Learn more about Cassidy’s story and consider donating to the Ulman Foundation.
