Lindsay Shulock
Lindsay is a sophomore at Suffolk County Community College. In the summer of 2013 she is running with a group of college-aged students on a 30 day, 4000+ mile journey from San Francisco to Baltimore.
What is your connection with the cancer community?
Cancer is a disease that affects all walks of life: young, old, weak, strong. It reaches people through the eyes of loved ones who have watched family and friends struggle to fight for their lives. I have an uncle who has survived prostate cancer. A beloved high school friend who was taken because of leukemia. My mother’s best friend passed away last spring from lung cancer. My family and I watched our family dog, Abby, struggle and quickly lose her battle to liver cancer. My largest personal connection, however, was every single person I met on the 2012 4K Seattle ride I embarked on last summer. Through my journey across the country there was not one day when our team did not feel the kindness of others. I encountered strangers with unforgettably moving stories that will never be forgotten. Hearing those stories changed me as a person and opened my eyes to how much I have to be thankful for and how much I want to give. Each individual who opened up their hearts to us made me realize how many lives cancer truly affects. We inspired kind strangers with our journey and in return, they inspired us. In this life I believe that there is no better gift than helping others. Cancer is a crippling disease that demands strength and courage from its host. While participating in the 4K, I hope to inspire patients when their faith is low and remind them that any mountain in the distance is achievable.
Why are you running with the 4K for Cancer?
Biking across the country while spreading cancer awareness and talking to new people each day was hands down the most amazing, over the top, joyous, fun, exhilarating, fulfilling summer I’ve ever had. Some of my teammates have agreed that the 4K is a once in a lifetime experience and for them it may be, but my journey doesn’t feel over yet. I have the time, the experience, and the drive to once again give the 4K my all. Traveling across America while riding the contours of the road on a bicycle is a wonderful adventure, but I have always been a stronger runner. When I heard that the 4K was presenting a run across the country for the first time, I was thrilled. Not only will we get to experience this journey through a runners view, we also have the ability to connect to the running community in the towns we visit! I care about this organization and I believe in this organization and I will forever love the 4K for Cancer because of what it has enabled young adults to achieve. This organization has created faith and restored hope in the kindness of complete strangers. It has made dreams come true and unimaginable goals to be conquered for the first time. The 4K has changed me, my teammates, and most importantly anyone who comes in contact with it. I want to be an active participant of this organization again. I want the ability to Inspire, Unite, and Run people into believing that anything is possible.
