Third Annual Event Benefits the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
Sept. 19, 2012 – Baltimore – Today, the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults announced that Lance Armstrong will race side-by-side with fellow cancer survivors in the third annual Half Full Triathlon on Oct. 7, 2012 in Howard County, Md. Armstrong plans to take part in the half distance, which includes a .9-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. He will compete in the cancer survivor wave, beginning at approximately 7:30 a.m.
“I am looking forward to competing alongside my fellow cancer survivors in the Half Full Tri,” said Armstrong, founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. “This race is a great example of what cancer survivorship is all about – not just surviving this disease, but truly living life on your own terms. My Foundation is proud to support the Ulman Cancer Fund and the great work they’re doing on behalf of young adult cancer survivors.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Lance back to my hometown to support an event benefiting the organization I created with my family in college,” said Doug Ulman, Fund founder and president and CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. “Lance’s support of the Ulman Cancer Fund and the young adult cancer movement has been and continues to be invaluable.”
“We cannot thank Lance enough for joining us in Howard County for the Half Full and providing an amazing boost of energy and excitement to our event,” said Ulman Cancer Fund President and CEO Brock Yetso. “Lance is arguably the most visible and vocal cancer survivor on the planet. Having him support our organization will ultimately help us support more young adults with cancer.”
“Half Full has always been about raising awareness and resources to support our programs in the young adult cancer fight,” said Ulman Cancer Fund COO and Half Full Race Director Brian Satola. “We thank Lance and the rest of our athletes for supporting an event that will enable us to change countless lives.”
The Half Full Triathlon will take place in Howard County, MD where the Ulman Cancer Fund was founded and currently has an office. “Howard County is excited host the 3rd Annual Half Full Triathlon and we look forward to welcoming Lance to town,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “We remain committed to the health and wellnessof our community and Lance’s participation in this event will only enhance our communities efforts in raising money and awareness to support the fight against cancer.”
Armstrong has been one of the Ulman Cancer Fund’s largest individual donors making a $100,000 gift to the organization in 2007 to help establish a young adult patient navigation program now being offered in three cancer centers in the Baltimore/Washington, DC Metro area. From 2004 to 2007, the Ulman Cancer Fund was the recipient of three LIVESTRONG community grants supporting educational resources created to support cancer patients and their families.
About the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is the national leader in providing specialized support for young adults affected by cancer. With nearly 70,000 young adults diagnosed every year, our organization helps young people fight the disease and navigate treatment by providing access to information, support groups and other specialized programs. UCF Patient Navigation Programs have set a national standard and can be accessed remotely or through onsite Patient Navigators at a growing number of hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region. UCF is a founding member of the LIVESTRONG® Young Adult Alliance and a national pioneer in developing innovative approaches in cancer support. UCF enhances lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer.
For more information, please visit, www.ulmancancerfund.org.
I had a great surprise this morning when I checked in with my Dr. right before my scheduled Rituxan treatment session. If you recall, today would have been my 4th treatment out of 6 that they ordered to handle my Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia relapse symptoms. When the Dr. walked in he asked me when I wanted to come back and see him again. Of course my wife and I looked at him a little strange and said, “Next week I suppose…just like the last 4 weeks”. “Today is only number 4 of 6 so I still have 2 more to go after today”.
I kind of spaced out after that, somewhat in disbelief over what I just heard. But I am incredibly thankful for this “gift”. My blood work is perfect. The enlarged nodes that were a problem have retreated and are again normal and I am in a really good place physically, and emotionally. I need to check back with him in a month but after that I suspect I will go back to semiannual blood level checks and all will again be well in the universe.
It was pouring down rain when we left, so I decided not to run home from treatment today. But, I am getting ready to hop on the indoor trainer and do some riding to give this disease a few more kicks to the head. For good measure.
Just finished up the second of six rounds of Rituxan. All went very well this morning and we even finished up a little faster than last week. Midway through treatment I received an email from 
For me, running home post chemo is one of the most rewarding and gratifying things I can possibly do to regain control. I sometimes feel a little helpless (and bored) sitting in a chemo chair for 6 hours. But when I am unleashed, and feel good enough to run home, all of the momentum and positive energy shifts back into my corner. It feels like I just regained complete control of my disease, my life, and everything in it. I celebrate the run, and trash talk the leukemia.
Advancing to the Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge Finals
Just wanted to thank everyone for all of their votes and support during the Be Philly Health Hero Challenge. I am happy to say that we have advanced to the finals. More details to follow but here is the official announcement from Philadelphia Magazine. I am looking forward to one heck of a campaign from 10/16-10/29 so that we can earn a nice donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Thanks again for everyone’s help thus far.
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