Zack Hummel

Over the summer Zack Hummel, a sophomore at Whittier College decided to spend his free time raising awareness for cancer research, and he did so by participating in the 4k for Cancer’s 2014 Run Across America. Now to clarify this run was not 2.49 miles, which is the length of an actual 4k. The length of this run was actually 4,000 miles exactly with the starting point in San Francisco, California and the end in Baltimore, Maryland. It took a total of 42 days for Hummel to complete the run.

Hummel explained that the main reason he took on the challenge of running across the country was his mother. As a child, Hummel watched as his mother battled skin cancer, uterine cancer, Leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma a cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system.

Aside from his mother Hummel explained how several other members of his family have had or currently have cancer. His maternal grandmother had skin cancer, his paternal grandmother had breast cancer and his maternal grandfather currently has kidney cancer that has spread to his lungs.

“After seeing what they have gone through, I became involved with events that raise cancer awareness and have been a very active member in Relay for Life,” Hummel said. “I am currently looking to find an internship for a cancer research foundation and hope to one day be a cancer researcher myself and find a cure.”

Since many members of his family have had cancer, Hummel admitted that he is concerned for his own health and well-being. “It does scare me because cancer is so hereditary,” Hummel said. “Knowing that so many members of my family have had cancer and that I may one day have it as well is just nerve-wracking. If I never get cancer then I will be so lucky, nobody deserves to go through that.”

As a cross country runner Hummel had the endurance to handle long distance running, though at times it was exhausting he said what motivated him was all of those who have had or currently have cancer. He advises the students of Whittier College to educate themselves on how to check for signs of cancer. “Learn the ways of self examination,” Hummel said. “Learn how to look for breast cancer, testicular cancer, and skin cancer. And if you notice something wrong don’t assume it will go away, go and have it checked out by a doctor.”

For Hummel, the most important thing people should do is to be aware of their bodies and take care of themselves. By doing so he believes people will have a better chance of fighting the disease if they ever are to encounter it.