Brianna Kline is planning to run across America in 42 days this summer as part of the 4K for Cancer, which raises money for young adult cancer victims.
Westvale, NY - Brianna Kline broke the big story to friends and family on Facebook Tuesday.
No, 21 year-old college senior isn't getting married, but she is embarking on a life changing activity all the same.
"I am superrr excited to announce that this summer I will be taking a casual jog across the country from San Fran, CA to Baltimore, Maryland with 4K for Cancer Inc." Kline wrote.
Kline, of Westvale, plans to run a relay across the country this summer to raise money for 4K for Cancer, a charity for young adults with cancer. Last year's run raised $775,000.
The event raises awareness, as well as money, Kline said. "People think it's unheard of for anyone younger than middle age to get cancer," she said.
Kline was six years old in 1998 when she was diagnosed with leukemia. She underwent three years of treatment and is now considered a long-term survivor.
From left to right mother Heather Kline, daughter Brianna Kline, and grandmother Sue Kline cross the finish line of a race in Virginia. The Klines were celebrating Brianna's last chemotherapy treatment as a child. Kline said she blocks out the negatives about the experience, focusing instead on positive memories. There was the outpouring of support her family received from the Eastwood community where they were living at the time. Elementary school classmates brought in pennies to raise money for her, and there was a fundraiser attended by 300 people.
"We got some great support from the community," she said.
A swimmer during her years at Westhill High School where she graduated in 2010, Kline turned to running at SUNY Brockport where she is majoring in health science and Spanish. She plans to go on for a master's degree in public health and then to volunteer for the Peace Corps.
As part of the 4K for Cancer relay, Kline will run a relay with a partner. They're part of a 30-person team running 42 days this summer from San Francisco to Baltimore.
"It's a lot of training," Kline said.
So far her training has included two half marathons in Rochester and Syracuse this fall.
"I'm trying to maintain that level of fitness but I want to build a little more endurance," she said.
Want to donate to Kline's run? Click here for a link to her page.