Come April 2019 will mark me celebrating 5 years as a breast cancer survivor.  I am choosing to celebrate my five years by doing Keys to Keys bike ride to help support Ulman Cancer Fund.  The Cancer to 5k program is a program that is near and dear to my heart as I participated in the program as a Cancer survivor for 2 years.  I still participate in the program as a sherpa for encourage other cancer survvors as they reach the finish line at their 5k goal race.  The picture shown here is me in my second year as a survivor running with my sherpas.

When going through cancer, a doctor will tell you to exercise as the symptons of the treatments can make you very tired.  My form of exercise at the time of treatment was golf and my oncologist informed that was not enough. I should run, swim or bike.  So I tried to run in the 5k event at the Baltimore Running Festival. I defintiely struggled. As I completed that run thats when  I discovered the Howard Group Cancer to 5K celebrating their survivors for that race.  With the permission of my oncologist, I participated in the Cancer to 5K program as a survivor for two years.  No mattter what kind of cancer one goes through, this group was by far my favorite support system as I was going throgh cancer as the program is outside and you are doing exercise with other cancer survivors along with sherpa and coaches encouraging you along the way. 

As a cancer participant of this program I would like to see more Cancer to 5K programs throghout the country close to Cancer Centers,  However it does take funding to get a program off the ground.  In doing thsi ride, I am hoping that I can make a difference, help spread the word and get programs like this started in more cities throughout the country. 

Consider making a donation as I make this adventure from Baltimore MD to Key West FL to an organization who does make a difference in the Cancer community

CHALLENGE:

Over 72,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer every year. Young adults (ages 15-39) face a variety of unique challenges with a cancer diagnosis including fertility preservation, social isolation, lack of insurance, delayed diagnosis, and more. 

SOLUTION:

Ulman Foundation changes lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer. With your support, Ulman is able to provide free support services and resources for the young adult cancer community including:

Cancer to 5K - a 12-week training program designed to introduce or reintroduce cancer survivors to physical activity.

Patient Navigation - a free program (onsite at cancer centers and remotely through our office) that ensures no young adult ever faces cancer alone. We provide one-on-one support & resources to young adults and their families to help them manage the cancer experience and long-term cancer survival.

Scholarships - a financial assistance program to help young adults continue their education after being affected by cancer through their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one.

Ulman House - This year Ulman will open a “home away from home” to provide free housing for young adult cancer patients, and their caregivers, in East Baltimore. 

Your donation will help make these programs and our mission possible!