Student Begins Life-Changing Run

University of Maine junior Matthew Dexter kicked off his 42-day cross-country relay run to raise money for cancer research Sunday, June 15, in San Francisco, California. People interested in keeping in step with Dexter’s progress are invited to read his blog.

Dexter and 33 other college students are taking part in the second annual 4,000-mile Ulman Cancer Foundation’s 4K for Cancer, the motto for which is “Change Lives.” Doug Ulman created 4K for Cancer in 1997 after he was first diagnosed with cancer to enhance “lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer.”

Dexter, a psychology major from Acton, Massachusetts, has raised more than $7,000 for the cause, $2,000 more than his original goal. Last year, runners and bikers taking part in the event contributed about $775,000 to the fund.

Dexter’s mother Christine died of stomach cancer when he was 13 and he says running was therapeutic for him. Dexter wanted to take part in the run to help others facing similar challenges. Relay participants run six to 10 miles a day, visit patients, give away chemo packs (comfort items for patients undergoing chemotherapy) and deliver college scholarships to young adults with cancer. The relay team is slated to reach Baltimore, Maryland on July 26.