HALF FULL Triathlon: A 70 Mile Fight for Young Adult Cancer Support - .9 Mile Swim, 56 Mile Bike, 13.1 Mile Run

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is excited to announce how it plans to make a bold statement about the fight against cancer in 2010. On October 3, 2010 we will host the inaugural Half Full Triathlon: A 70 Mile Fight for Young Adult Cancer Support. This won’t be your ordinary triathlon. We are making a statement about cancer and we need your help.

Each year an estimated 70,000 young adults, ages 15-40, are diagnosed with cancer. Young adults are often marginalized in a medical system that lacks specific resources geared toward their unique needs and issues. Cancer is the leading cause of death in this age group. Five year survival rates for the majority of young adult cancers have not increased since 1975.

We chose the distance of 70 Miles versus the more well-known 70.3 Milie distance for this race for one important reason.

70,000 is the # of young adults diagnosed with cancer each year

This is a statistic that needs people’s attention. It is unacceptable. We will change it. Despite these challenges, our vision for the future is HALF FULL!

The Half Full Tri will help make the young adult cancer issue a priority and together we can improve the 70,000 statistic. Every Mile you race you're helping support this population of young people battling cancer.

Proceeds benefit the work of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and the LIVESTRONG™ Young Adult Alliance. Your efforts will fuel our shared missions of informing, empowering, and building community for young adults with cancer and their families.

Swim, Bike, Run, and Fight for young adults with cancer on 10/3/2010 in Columbia, Maryland. As a participant in this inaugural event you’ll be joining people around the globe as they collectively fight cancer the same weekend of world-wide LIVESTRONG™ Day.

We believe HALF FULL is having hope and optimism in the face of adversity. Whether it is a 70 Mile triathlon or the fight against cancer, HALF FULL is having the determination and positive attitude to get to your finish line. Surrounded by friends, family and fellow athletes – we are all in this fight together. One Mile at a time, we will finish this race, but more importantly - WIN this cancer battle!

Get in the FIGHT!

Visit us at www.twitter.com/halffulltri and tell us what HALF FULL means to you
Find us on Facebook at halffulltriathlon
Visit http://www.halffulltri.org/ for event updates including race routes, registration, sponsorship opportunities and more

Brock Yetso
Executive Director

Great Day for TEAM FIGHT

An unbelievable weekend for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and TEAM FIGHT. The weekend was kicked off by a very generous group of volunteers helping at the Columbia Triathlon Packet Pick-Up. We could never think of doing any of this without the support of our Voluteers. THANK YOU ALL!

The TEAM then assembled for a pre-race dinner with over 70 people in attendance. Inspirational and emotional stories we shared by survivors Sylvia and Laurel further connecting the TEAM to the reason why we were all there. 70,000 Young Adults are diagnosed with cancer every year. Survival rates have not improved in over 30 years! This is unacceptable and TEAM FIGHT’ers have stepped up in force to get noticed and make a difference.

Coach Kevin was kind enough to share his story of his good friend “Ironman Dan” who recently lost his battle with Leukemia earlier in the month. Thank you for sharing Kevin and thank you to Colleen for telling the story of Dan’s fight in a way that we could connect even further.
Race day came before the sun came up and actually I don’t think we ever saw it through the clouds and rain. But, trust me, there was no way it could rain on our parade. There was so much positive energy that morning. The support that each and every one of the TEAM FIGHT’ers received on the course was truly inspirational. As I rode my bike on the course I could hear a chorus of “GO TEAM FIGHT” every time I needed it most.

During the time I spent on the bike I had time to reflect on what this race was about to me. The race was about people rallying together for a great cause and uniting to create awareness about the support that is necessary for the Young Adult Cancer world! New friendships were forged and those observing the race HAD to have recognized the group of triathletes decked out in YELLOW and BLUE having the time of their lives.

TEAM FIGHT was privileged to have a pre-race meal with the eventual 2009 Columbia Triathlon 1st and 3rd place finishers, Bec and Laurel Wassner. I had chills as I heard their names as I went out on the bike course to the cheers from the thousands of fans on hand. What an unbelievable accomplishment and what a prideful way of representing TEAM FIGHT. You will never hear bragging from the Wassner’s. BUT you will see them FIGHTING each time they hit the course.

Thank you all so much for your support. You have all contributed in such a powerful way. We are hopeful, optimistic and we are making a difference in the fight for young adults affected by cancer.

Brian
UCF Assistant Director

Bec Wassner Wins St. Anthony's Triathlon

Can TEAM FIGHT possibly have better spokespeople! Go Laruel, Bec and TEAM FIGHT!