The Key to Keys Experience 

UCF’s Key to Keys team spends one week cycling from Baltimore, MD to Key West, FL to raise awareness about young adult cancer and spread the mission of the Ulman Cancer Fund. 

Key to Keys is more than just a bike ride. It’s not a race. It’s not a competition. It’s a journey that brings together a diverse group of individuals to build a community of support for those affected by cancer. 

Using cycling as a platform, the Key to Keys participants  will come together throughout the journey to share their individual cancer connections and give out as much support to others as they are receiving. The team will also visit cancer centers and communities to connect young adults and their loved ones to the UCF organization. 

The money raised by the team will support vital programs and services of The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults to include invaluable services and direct support initiatives that address the unique medical, emotional, financial, educational, and physical needs young adults face during their cancer experience. These include a Patient Navigation program which provides one-on-one support, meet up groups, direct services like Helping Others Fight, a resource directory, a National Scholarship program which awards 30 scholarships a year, and the life changing Cancer to 5K training program

My Story

I have volunteered as a sherpa for the Ulman Cancer Fund Cancer to 5K program for the past 5 years and it has been an amazing experience to see cancer survivors re-gain their strength and confidence through this program.  During 2017, my husband received that dreadful phone call from his doctor to tell him that he had cancer.  He had been a long-time survivor, but this was different and frankly, it was terrifying.  We immediately  began researching treatment options and looking for 2nd opinions regarding his diagnosis and treatment.  Our Cancer to 5K Team and the entire Ulman Team immediately reached out and surrounded us with a level of support that I never could have imagined.  They were there for us in every way and I truly don’t know how we would have survived without all of their support and understanding.  Luckily, Jim kicked cancer's butt again and last year I was able to watch him ride to the finish surrounded by the 2018 Key to Keys Team at the Southernmost Point in Key West.  I could not have been more happy or more proud to see him complete that incredible journey surrounded by such an amazing group of people. Throughout this time, I have battled through my own health scare and now I am ready to give back and begin my own amazing journey with this team. 

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!