Celebrating Life on National Cancer Survivors Day

I’m Samantha, a twenty three year old cancer survivor completing a Year of Service at the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF). This June 2^nd I will be celebrating life and I invite you to join me!

Sam will celebrate nearly 10 years as a cancer survivor on June 2nd!

It was almost ten years ago that I diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was thirteen, a little rebellious, and at times over dramatic like most kids my age. There were no symptoms of being sick, no aches or pains and in the blink of an eye my life changed.

When I think back to that day a million images flash before my eyes, but I so vividly see my mom, my dad, and my brother. My family that from that day forward became my rock, my strength and my support. My family was there to keep me laughing, keep me smiling, and when things looked a little hazy, they were there to clear my vision.

I was diagnosed, but we were all going through this together.

About a year ago I started my fellowship at the Ulman Cancer Fund. My first week I met a thirteen year old who was going through treatment and was terrified about loosing her hair. I learned that the 4K for Cancer team stops at Camp Mak-A-Dream, a survivor’s camp where I spent two of my summers.  I listened to a young woman speak so openly about how she felt alone when she was diagnosed and how UCF helped her through her journey.

There are a lot of questions, fears, and concerns going through a diagnosis and what I’ve learned is it takes a community. It’s at UCF that I am reminded every day that it’s the support of friends and family, your network that helps make sense of it all.

It’s that community of support that gets you through the hard days. But, it’s that community of friends and family that make the good days that much brighter.

We at the UCF believe that National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD) is about a community of support. It’s a day to celebrate your life and the lives of those that have helped you through your journey.

So on this NCSD, I ask you to help us spread awareness and show your support to others.

Share your story.  One of the biggest ways you can help is by telling us what this day means to you and what you are celebrating.

• You can download our “I’m a Survivor” and “In Honor Of” tiles to show us why you are celebrating this day.  Take a picture of yourself with the tile and tag the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults when you share it on Facebook or Twitter so we can help you to inspire even more people. Or you can email your story and pictures to: info@ulmanfund.org

Raise Awareness Not everyone may be aware of June 2^nd being National Cancer Survivors Day and you can play a large role in making sure people know that it is approaching

• Share NCSD graphics from our Facebook Page
• Set one of our graphics or your tile picture as your profile picture in the days leading up to June 2^nd.

Be sure to encourage your family and friends to become involved in our campaign to celebrate NCSD. Your support in being a voice for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is appreciated by survivors like me!

 

Ulman Cancer Fund Named Beneficiary of Headers for Hope Soccer Showcase

We are excited to announce that Headers for Hope and the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) are partnering for the Headers for Hope 2013 Women’s Soccer Showcase. Participating collegiate teams include: University of Maryland, Loyola University, College of William and Mary, U.S. Naval Academy, Old Dominion University, Penn State University, and the University of Virginia. The Headers for Hope 2013 Women’s Soccer Showcase will be held on April 13, 2013 at the Howard High School Stadium in Columbia, MD.

“Headers for Hope is a great nonprofit organization that seeks to raise money for local charities in the fight against cancer. We are honored to have been selected as the local charity partner for the tournament,” says Brock Yetso, UCF President & CEO. “As a former collegiate UVA soccer player, this is an event that is close to my heart paring my love of soccer with my passion for the cancer fight.” The Headers for Hope Tournament provides coaches and players an opportunity to play some of the best teams in women’s college soccer, while also providing teams the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer. The seven teams will compete against each other in a round-robin tournament with UVA vs Penn State at 6pm. All day tickets will be $10 at the gate.

“I am delighted that we will partner with the Ulman Cancer Fund for 2013,” said Louise Waxler, founder of Headers For Hope. “The ability to raise awareness about the risks of cancer to our college athletes and young soccer players is our ultimate goal. Our partnership with the UCF provides us with the opportunity to spread the word and to help make a difference in saving the lives of those we love.”

For further information, please see the event website: www.headersforhope.org.

About Headers for Hope:
Headers for Hope was established in honor of every individual who has been diagnosed with cancer. Founder of Headers For Hope and long-time soccer sports industry veteran Louise Waxler created the Foundation in loving memory of her good friend who passed away after her two-year battle with this deadly disease. Headers For Hope works with tournaments and teams across the country and within each sport to raise money, which is donated back to their local cancer charity or organization. For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.headersforhope.com.

Schedule of games:
9:30 am – Navy vs. ODU
11:00 am – UMD vs.  William & Mary
1:30 pm – ODU vs. Loyola
3:00 pm – William & Mary vs. Navy
4:30 pm – Loyola vs. UMD
6:00 pm – Virginia vs. Penn State
7:30 pm – Columbia Alumni (Men)

Survivor, I thought, that was going to be me

My first interaction with The Ulman Cancer Fund (UCF) was not as a survivor but as a supporter. I found out about UCF when I signed up for its inaugural Half Full Triathlon in 2010. After watching my dad go through cancer the year before I leapt at any opportunity to raise money and awareness for those battling this awful disease. UCF was a great organization to support at that time; it put its money into programs that directly impact cancer patients, survivors and their families, what more could I ask for?

Katie is a breast cancer survivor, Team Fight member and UCF Supporter!

Fast-forward about 6 months, to March of 2011. I, Katie Anderson, 28-year-old triathlete and marathon runner was diagnosed with breast cancer. Getting diagnosed with cancer at such a young age was terrifying, isolating and mind-boggling. I had no idea that you could get breast cancer that young, especially when I felt like I was doing everything I could to live a healthy life. After the initial fear, turmoil and distress subsided, I thought back to that amazing triathlon, Half Full, that I participated in 6 months prior, where I competed alongside cancer survivors. Survivor, I thought, that was going to be me. I was going to beat this deadly disease and get back out there. From that point forward, I began to look at my journey half full.

Katie biking at the Half Full Triathlon

While the road was tough and painful, both emotionally and physically, I did just that. Despite facing a mastectomy and several other surgeries, I set my mind on participating in Half Full again, so that I could raise money and awareness for those battling cancer. Competing in a race dedicated to cancer patients, survivors and families gave me something to work towards, something to look forward to.

Despite my multiple surgeries, I did it. I got back out there and competed in Half Full in 2012. After this race, and learning more about how UCF supports young cancer patients like myself and their families through programs like Cancer to 5K and patient navigators, I jumped full force into UCF activities and haven’t looked back since. In the past year, I have started volunteering with Cancer to 5K and have also joined Team Fight. Both of these programs have led me to other cancer survivors, which is a great support to me as a 30-year-old who still faces fears of recurrence and daily aches and pains. These programs also allow me to combine my passion for competing in endurance races and my need to give back to the cancer community.

I hope that you too will decide to give back to the cancer community and support a great organization that supports so many young cancer patients, survivors and their families. As a survivor, The Ulman Cancer Fund has given me a support group to lean on and raise awareness with. Join me in this great fight!

Sincerely,

Katie Anderson

A Half Full Proposal

I’m Loren Bazualdo, and I raced in the Rev3 Half Full 70.0 triathlon benefiting the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults the weekend of, October 7^th2012.  It was an incredible journey leading up to, during, and especially after the race.  And this is my story, about my Half Full experience!

Loren & Dan

About 6 months ago I began my journey towards my first Half Ironman distance race, and I decided to race the Half Full 70.0. I wanted to race Half Full in memory of my dear brother, Jimmy A. Camacho.  He passed away 15 years ago in a tragic car accident.  The day was March 14, 1997.  He was 21 years old.  It was the saddest moment for my family, friends and me.

I have many stories about him that have inspired me but there is one in particular that is special.

Ever since I was a little girl I would always tag along his side. We would do many things together but we enjoyed playing sports the most.  He was an athletic person and loved soccer.  I preferred to play soccer than to run but he would always challenge me.  On this one day we went running and he of course took me on hillier roads.  I recall it was the hardest run for me and I really wanted to quit!  But he didn’t let me and he would say, “Come on Loren, it’s only a few more feet!”, “You can do it!”, and “We’re almost there!”  I tear to this day when I remember him say that.  A tough workout turned out to be the best memories with my brother.  He left me knowing he would be by my side no matter what.  And throughout my training, especially on those hard days, I do feel like he was there with me, pushing me to continue.

Fast forward 6 months, my training was finished, and it was time to race.   It was a cold, soggy morning, but that was not going to dampen my spirits.  I kept reminding myself that this was my race and most important it was in memory of my dear brother Jimmy!  Looking around, I could see the weather was not dampening the spirits of the many cancer survivors or people racing in memory or honor of people battling cancer!  It was truly an inspiration to see them all out there.

As the swim start neared, I was actually very calm and relaxed.  My parents, my cousin Veronica and most importantly Dan Hallenbeck (my boyfriend) came to watch me and their presence meant a lot! When my wave was called, I began walking down towards the water, ready to start the swim.   I quickly said a little prayer, and before I was out of sight, I heard Dan say “Kick Butt!!”  It was all I needed to hear to have a good start.  He was with me all the way!

We entered the water in a time trial start, which was a first for me.  The great thing about the time trial start was not having a clustered group of swimmers, and I avoided having a panic attack because of it. The swim, my strongest leg of the race, was fairly uneventful.  The only hiccup was towards the end when I experienced a little current trying to pull me out more.  I finished the swim strong, and now my time of 29:31 is the time to beat next year!

Coming out of the water I began to realize how cold it was. I jogged the small path up to transition, and as I approached I could see Dan cheering me on.  I realized because of the weather conditions I needed to dry up as much as possible.  It was cold and the bike was going to be colder, so I took my time to ensure I was as dry as warm as possible.

By the time I started my bike ride it was raining.  This is my concern because it is my weakest leg of the race. Complicating the ride was the rainy weather, and I had to worry about staying safe in slick conditions. Additionally, there was the mental challenge of having to do two loops.  However, all I remembered was to Kick butt just as all the cancer survivors were doing!!  The best part of the bike ride was the chance to talk to Lance Armstrong as I began my second loop and he finished his.  He was very nice and took a couple seconds to slow down and say “Good Morning!”  After this I really wanted to finish!  I went out and began my second loop, and shortly after the rain had stopped.  I finished my second loop, and rode back in to transition, ready to run!

Starting the run, the hills were tough but the constant support of the awesome volunteers gave me strength to continue throughout the rest of the race.  As I ended my first loop, I saw the finish; this was the hardest of all because the finish line was so close yet far away.  It was here that I saw my family and Dan cheer me on and they gave me energy to keep going!  I dug in deep and kept running.

As I finished the second loop and approached the finish line, I was excited and emotional.

The thought of my brother came to mind and I was thrilled to complete my first half ironman.  My eyes were starting to water.  Suddenly I recognized Dan at the finish line with my finisher’s medal!  I was thrilled to see him!!  He placed the medal over my head and I began to tear even more.   As I started to turn slightly to find my parents, Dan turned me back towards him. I was confused at first, but FINALLY I REALIZED what he was doing.  He got on his knees and showed me the ring!!!  I COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS HAPPENING!!!  By now tears were rolling down and I was speechless.  He proposed at my race!  I was so shocked I realized I had not responded yet.  I finally nodded yes as I still had not caught my breath.

I will never forget this race!  It is in the books!!  My story of how Dan Hallenbeck proposed

She said YES!

at the finish line of my first Half Ironman, Rev3 Half Triathlon (Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults).

Ulman Cancer Fund and LIVESTRONG Remain Focused on Mission

“As Lance Armstrong steps down as chairman of the Board of LIVESTRONG, The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults continues our work with LIVESTRONG to support those affected by cancer. We are confident that LIVESTRONG will continue to focus on it’s mission under the leadership of our Founder, President & CEO, Doug Ulman and new Chairman, Jeff Garvey.

We thank Lance Armstrong for his enormous dedication and passion on behalf of cancer survivors worldwide.

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults strives to bring strength, hope and empowerment to those affected by cancer.

The mission of The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is to enhance lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer.”

Brock Yetso
President & CEO

Why Mike is Half Full

Hello, my name is Mike Compson and I am a cancer survivor.  In January of 2008 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and presented with a number of different options to treat the cancer.  After being very scared and weighing all of my options I decided to have robotic assisted surgery to have my prostate removed in March.

Three months after a successful surgery I was doing yard work and hurt my back.  I ended up with a bulging disk and a herniated disk in my back.  After two months of physical therapy, my therapist told me I should continue stretching and working out to reduce the chances of future problems with my back.  He recommended swimming. I told him that I did not know how.  He said, “LEARN!”

As I was learning how to swim at my local gym I began seeing and talking to more and more people who were training for triathlons.  I thought these people were crazy!  Pretty soon some of these crazy people suggested that I give it a try.  My wife Robbie and I decided to sign up for the 2011 Celebration Triathlon in Columbia.  While training for that race some friends were telling me about the Half Full Triathlon and how it was such a fun race and such a worthy cause.  After reading about the Half Full I decided to sign up for Olympic distance race before I had even raced my first triathlon.

Racing as a survivor was a very emotional experience that kind of blind-sided me.  At times, I tend to take things for granted.  There were two other survivors running the Olympic version of the Half Full.  Although I do not remember their names I do remember the women I met that morning.  One of them had battled breast cancer and the other had battled brain cancer.  I was truly amazed by their stories, strength, and that they were about to do the 40 mile race.   We received a great send off for the swim from all of the other racers doing the Olympic race.

Although the weather last year was very cold, the race was a great experience.  I was amazed at all the volunteers who were out there in the cold with the racers and all of the people on the side of the road cheering us on.  I was also amazed at all of the support and encouragement from fellow racers along the way—they really helped me get through the race. Running through inspiration mile was just that, very inspiring, and it really helped me get through the worst part of the race, the run.

The Half Full was just an amazing experience for me last year.  The race supports such a worthy cause that helps so many individuals as they battle this insidious disease.  As I am writing this note, I got a call from back home that my uncle was just operated on for colon cancer.  He is but one of the many individuals that I have known or heard about that has been afflicted by this awful disease.  I consider myself blessed and extremely lucky.  I hope to be doing the Half Full—my little contribution to the cause—for many years to come.

Why Deanne is Half Full

The week of Half Full will be 5 years since I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Soon after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in Oct 2007, I signed up for my first triathlon that I completed in June 2008 (The Philadelphia Triathlon, Olympic distance). I also joined a local triathlon club where I met my now husband. We married less than a year later in May 2009. Triathlon has become a meaningful part of my life!

I am happy to report that I have made a full recovery and am doing well. This race is a celebration for me of what I am physically able to do and what I have overcome. I am happy to be racing the Half Full that benefits the Ulman Cancer Fund, and I am very happy to have my husband cheering me on.

Why Meg is Half Full

In January 2010, I heard the words no one ever wants to hear from her doctor. I’d been diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer called adenocarcinoma.

I had no symptoms, no previous abnormal test results and no family history of cancer. By all accounts, I was a healthy and extremely active 32-year-old….surfer, kiteboarder, cycling instructor, and scientist.

Now… I am a young adult cancer survivor.

My OB/GYN detected the abnormal cells on a regular check-up, which was then diagnosed further through biopsies. I was extremely lucky that I’d been diagnosed while the cancer was in its early stages. My team of oncologists at Johns Hopkins University was able to perform surgery to immediately remove the cancer.

The treatment and follow-ups didn’t end there. My health is closely monitored due to the aggressive nature of this type of disease. I’ve had some reoccurrence of abnormal cells in the past couple years, but I’ve been able to keep a positive outlook on the course of treatment and what lies ahead for me.

Two years ago, I decided that I wanted to get involved in an endurance event. Through my local running store, Charm City Run, I learned about Team Fight, a training team that raises money for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

I began training with the team, along with volunteering with the Cancer to 5k program, which is an amazing program that helps individuals with cancer train and run in a road race. I can’t begin to describe how wonderful the experience has been with the entire Ulman Cancer Fund organization. I feel so lucky to have connected with such amazing people and resources.  Over the past two years, I have not only been able to run my first races ever, but bring continued awareness, such as running in the coveted New York City Marathon, participating in many more triathlons, coaching the Baltimore Cancer to 5k program and even running across America with Rev3 Triathlon benefiting UCF.

Prior to joining Team Fight, I was not able to talk easily about my cancer. Meeting other people like me has given me the strength to fight this disease and speak out and share my story. In addition, it has given me the strength to swim, bike and run like I never have before.

The support, coaching and friendships are truly amazing. Being a part of the Ulman Cancer Fund has helped me to face adversity with a smile.  It has given me the support I needed and allowed me to help spread awareness about young adults fighting cancer. It’s about living life half full… The way I have always lived my life, cancer or not.

Walking the Walk, Guest Blog by John Sunder

Walking the Walk

It is important for me to remember how she lived and not those last few days when she had gained fifteen pounds from tumor weight and could scarcely speak or know to whom she was speaking.  A tireless advocate for young people who without fail selflessly placed the needs of others before her own, my mother rarely “talked the talk” but she always “walked the walk.”  Whenever a need for a particular improvement or service emerged, rather than complain or look to another to fix the problem, she took action.  For example, when my sisters and I were in elementary school, she noticed that the playground equipment had become outdated and badly needed replacing.  Unsatisfied with the current principal’s timetable for procuring additional funding to tackle the job, she started her own capital campaign and within one year ground was broken on the new playground at Jeffers Hill Elementary.  Later, as I began looking at colleges (I am the oldest of three), a similar scenario unfolded when she walked into the Oakland Mills High School guidance office.  After deeming the paucity of information totally unacceptable, she made it her decade-long mission to transform the guidance office into an organized, student-focused center for information on college and scholarship options.  The Ulman Cancer Fund, to which my mother donated time and energy during her life, was formed out of this same desire to serve the community by identifying a void (the lack of support for young adults facing a cancer diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one) and then taking action to provide the necessary service.

Service is something that I grew up with.  My mother modeled it for me and she expected it of me.  Long before she received her diagnosis of colon cancer in 2007, I had been aware of the Ulman Cancer Fund.  I played soccer and basketball against Doug in high school (held my own in basketball, not so much in soccer…) and followed him to Brown University in the fall of 1996.  When I arrived on campus I looked him up in the directory — yes, there was a time when students went to college without cell phones — and gave him a call.  I was stunned to hear from his roommate that he had been diagnosed with cancer…

After Doug’s recovery, I first learned of the Ulman Cancer Fund and its mission to serve young adults victimized by this horrible disease.  I immediately knew that I needed to get involved.  My first opportunity came as a teacher and coach at Mt. Hebron High School.  I worked with Brock Yetso to raise money and awareness for the cause through a “Mile-A-Thon” that was held on the school’s track in the spring.  Now, after completing law school and beginning my new career at Venable LLP, I am looking forward to a “second act.”  I am excited to continue to serve young adults through my year of service on the Board of Young Adult Advisors and look forward to re-connecting with old friends as well as meeting new ones.  In that vein, I invite everyone to come out this Wednesday night, October 10, to Max’s in Fells Point from 6 to 8 if you are interested in finding out more about the Board’s planned activities and joining the fight against cancer.

In honor of my mother and on behalf of her loved ones (especially Ellie, Anna, Alex and Audrey — the grandchildren that she so looked forward to but never met), I am looking forward to “walking the walk” and hope that you will join in as well.  Together, we can ensure that although individual battles may be lost, in the end the war will be won.

John Sunder

BOYAA Co-Chair

Remembering To Look Back

I had always thought of the scar on my chest as my scarlet letter. The scar that was once site of such a bad port infection that doctors used me as their  “worst case scenario” exhibit, but now it’s the scar that people most tend to think is a hickey. When my treatment ended in 2005 I didn’t want to look back. I did what I had to do to be a normal 13-year-old. I went through chemo, had blood transfusions, spinal taps, dealt with a bald head and chipmunk cheeks from steroids. When I was given the all-clear from my oncologist that was it, the cancer chapter was finished.

It wasn’t until 2008, right before I was graduating high school that it hit me; I am a cancer survivor. I never went to a support group or met other patients or survivors. I never absorbed what was going on around me. I just looked straight ahead.

In the midst of college applications I decided I was going to Montana to a cancer camp. This was completely out of my comfort zone, but I knew it was something I had to do.

It was there that it clicked. I watched as a young adult with a prosthetic leg climb a rock wall faster than me, a survivor in a wheel chair laugh hysterically when his door-prize was a jump rope, and stood by as a patient had every strand of her long hair shaved off by a beautiful bald survivor.

It was that week that I absorbed. It was that week that the scarlet letter on my chest started to transform into a badge of honor.

It’s weird how things work out sometimes….

My second day at Ulman I met a 13-year-old girl going through treatment and learned the 4K stopped at the camp I attended in Montana. I listened to a fellow survivor speak and motivate a room full of people.

I wasn’t diagnosed as a young adult, but I am a young adult and I am a cancer survivor.

I’ve never been shy or uncomfortable to share my story; I just chose to avoid the sad faces and generic remarks. Although, at times, when a stranger would congratulate me on such a hickey, I loved throwing them off.

But, here at Ulman I was reminded on my first day that everyone here gets it. Whether it’s someone in the office, a Team Fighter, a 4Ker, a volunteer…someone gets it. And when they don’t know right thing to say, there’s no generic lines because they get that sometimes saying nothing means more.

So, during my Year of Service I will not only absorb, but I will share. I will share my story, learn from others, and continue to look ahead. But this time I’m remembering to look back.

Samantha Powell

UCF Year of Service Fellow