LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Review: A World Without Cancer

Lance Armstrong & Doug Ulman giving closing remarks at LIVESTRONG Global Summit

August 27, 2009

Wednesday marked the end of the Inaugural LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland. Gathering over 500 delegates from 60 different countries across the world, I was honored to represent the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and the adolescent and young adult cancer movement. We listened to informative and powerful presentations and participated in empowering working sessions on topics including the global cancer burden, the global economic impact of cancer, discussions on methods for better collaboration, innovation and transformation and activities around leadership, reach and story telling to help drive more effective social change.




While at the summit, I had was fortunate to connect and idea share with so many amazing fellow advocates, survivors, dignitaries, political figures and medical professionals. Below and above are some videos from the some of these extraordinary individuals and some scenes from the summit.




Watch World Without Cancer Video shown at LIVESTRONG Summit

24 Hours of Booty Visit to Ulman Cancer Fund Headquarters in Columbia, MD

Brock Yetso (UCF Executive Director) interviews Basil Lyberg (24 Hours of Booty Executive Director) talk booty



Join fellow cyclist and cancer fighters at the Columbia Gateway Business Park for 24 Hours of Booty on September 26 & 27, 2009. Proceeds from this event will benefit the work of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and LIVESTRONG.

REGISTER TODAY at http://www.24hoursofbooty.org/

Acting Locally But Thinking Globally: UCF Participates in LIVESTRONG Global Summit

Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults Selected to Participate in Premiere
LIVESTRONG® Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland

First-ever event to bring together world leaders, advocates and corporations from
more than 60 countries to address the global cancer burden

Columbia, Maryland, USA – August 18, 2009 – Today the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults announced that Brock Yetso (Executive Director) and Diana Ulman (Founding Member) will represent the organization at the premiere LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland, August 24 - 26. The Summit is the landmark event of the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign, an effort of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). Yetso and Ulman will represent the organization’s commitment to fight cancer in Howard County and the Maryland/DC/VA Region and engage with world media, political leaders, representatives of non-governmental organizations and corporate leadership.

“In August of 1996 we were told that our son Doug had cancer – He was 19 – now, 13 years later, we join Doug, President of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and hundreds of determined advocates to build a world wide community resolute in its mission to take control of cancer – to conquer it – to triumph over it – all of us together – this is what we have been working toward – this is our journey – thank you, Doug for leading us here” said Diana Ulman, UCF Founding Member.

“The Global Cancer Summit provides our organization a unique opportunity to highlight the positive work in our community on a global platform. Using sport, education & awareness, and the mobilization of thousands of people around the young adult cause, we hope to change the way our community and region address the young adult cancer issue” commented Brock Yetso, UCF Executive Director.

“Cancer is a major public health problem that affects every country in every region of the world regardless of economic and social situation,” said Lance Armstrong, LAF founder and chairman, cancer survivor and champion cyclist. “Through collective action, we will make a renewed commitment to reducing the burden of cancer around the world and break down the stigma and silence too often associated with the disease.”

In September 2008, Armstrong announced the Foundation’s commitment to making cancer a global priority at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York. The LAF made this commitment after its worldwide research, conducted over 18 months, revealed widespread misconceptions, stigma and lack of awareness associated with cancer.

In response, the LAF established the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign to urgently address the burden of cancer worldwide and support the 28 million people living with cancer around the globe. Cancer kills more people every year than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. It is estimated that cancer will be the leading cause of death worldwide by 2010.

With such staggering statistics, the LAF recognized that a global challenge like cancer required a global movement. And so it began urging world leaders, leading cancer organizations and cancer survivors to join together by making commitments to take action in their communities to reduce the burden of cancer.

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults Global Commitment

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is proud to join the LIVESTRONG movement with a commitment to use sport, education and awareness at the community level to mobilize people in the fight against cancer.

Through grassroots advocacy & education, the promotion of exercise & healthy living and by facilitating young adult patient navigation in cancer centers, the UCF is working to empower young adults and families to face cancer with the knowledge, resources and hope necessary to thrive. Our work at the community level will help create and promote an environment where young people and families can come together to thrive against this deadly disease.
Description:
The UCF will commit delivering the following two programs as a participant in the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit.

1) Young Adult Patient Navigation Program at University of Maryland Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center - http://www.umgcc.org/patient_info/ulman_nav.htm

2) Half Full Triathlon on October 3, 2010 - a Half Iron distance triathlon hosted on LIVESTRONG Day weekend 2010 that will mobilize, educate and empower over 5,000 people in the fight against cancer - http://www.halffulltri.org

These two programs are in align with the 2020 targets in that they target public attitudes toward cancer, promote early detection and screening and promote access to accurate cancer diagnosis', appropriate cancer treatments, supportive care, rehabilitation services and palliative care which will faciliate improved outcomes for patients worldwide.
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is looking forward to participating in the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland from August 24-26, 2009 and helping to make the case for acting urgently to address the global cancer burden.

Unlike other conferences and forums, the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit is unique in that it will kick off a unified global movement while providing attendees the opportunity to connect with other advocates, network, gain media exposure and access tools and resources to help them mobilize in their own communities. Speakers include honorary Summit chair and former Irish President Mary Robinson, Irish Cancer Chief Professor Tom Keane, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta as well as representatives from the World Health Organization and other global bodies.

For more information on the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign and the Summit, please visit http://www.livestrong.org/

About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, we fight for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. There can be – and should be – life after cancer for more people. That's why we kick in at the moment of diagnosis, giving people the resources and support they need to fight cancer head-on. We find innovative ways to raise awareness, fund research and end the stigma about cancer that many survivors face. We connect people and communities to drive social change, and we call for state, national and world leaders to help fight this disease. Anyone anywhere can join our fight against cancer. Join us at http://www.livestrong.org/.

MILLERSTRONG: Lax for Cancer!

In the mid-atlantic region, the lacrosse community has always been a strong and intimate one. Through summer tournaments, camps and clinics, players and their parents from all over are brought together by their passion for the sport. The bond is significant and strong, which is why the overwhelming involvement of the lacrosse community at the 2^nd Annual Millerstrong Lacrosse Classic was no surprise.

The mission of the Millerstrong Lacrosse Classic is to utilize the lacrosse community to raise the voice of the We Believe Foundation in support of teens and young adults battling cancer. Millerstrong educates teens and young adults about early detection and gives lacrosse fans the opportunity to watch top notch lacrosse players in action, while they play in honor of Cancer Warriors.

Matt Miller, the inspiration for the event and the young man who is the reason behind the We Believe Foundation, kicked off The 2^nd Annual Millerstrong Lacrosse Classic on Saturday, August 1. Matt was diagnosed with testicular cancer in his senior year at DeMatha Catholic High School. He was one week away from receiving his official scholarship offer to play lacrosse at Drexel University. Matt was immediately taken into surgery for tumor chemotherapy. His journey with cancer was tough and painful, but through it all, Matt and his family always believed he would conquer cancer and be able to step on the field to lead his team as a Senior Captain that year. Matt achieved his goal and so much more. At the Millerstrong Lacrosse Classic, Matt’s mother, Sarah Miller announced that Matt has been cancer free for one year and she proudly watched him step on the field to play in the games that day with nearly 100 fellow lacrosse players honoring their own Cancer Warriors.

The Classic included guest speaker, Dave Pietramala, Head Coach for the Johns Hopkins University Men’s Lacrosse team. With the same enthusiasm Coach Pietramala uses to motivate his teams to National Championships, he spoke about how to overcome obstacles and maintain a positive attitude in the face of a cancer diagnosis.

After Coach Pietramala shared his message, each player was introduced and took a knee for the Cancer Warrior they were playing in honor of. After introductions were made, the day was filled with competitive lacrosse as Team Courage played Team Strength and Team Hope played Team Believe.

The stands were filled with lacrosse fans of all ages, and floating through the bleachers you could spot Mary Kay representatives dressed in bright pink t-shirts helping the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults “Ban the Burn” by handing out free sunscreen!

The Millerstrong Classic was more than just a lacrosse tournament. The players that took the field that day played with more than a heart filled with passion for the game. They played with passion for a cause that is greater than goals and assists. They played for those who are fighting and those who they have lost.

For more information on the Millerstrong Classic and the We Believe Foundation please visit: www.millerstrong.com

What do Bill Gates and Doug Ulman have in common?!?

UCF Founder, Doug Ulman, speaking at UCF

Annual Awards Dinner on March 9, 2009

August 5, 2009

Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults founder, Doug Ulman, is honored as one of NonProfit Times 2009 Top 50 Power & Influence honorees. Recognizeed with some of the worlds greatest non-profit leaders including Bill Gates (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and John Seffrin (American Cancer Society), Doug is applauded for his work including everything from his tweets and 300,000+ followers to leadership with LIVESTRONG the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. Congratulations and thank you Doug for all the work you do on behalf of the UCF, LIVESTRONG and cancer survivors worldwide!

Learn more...

Get in the FIGHT - Cancer to 5K Registration

Ongoing research shows that light to moderate exercise is an excellent way to combat fatigue and depression; two significant side effects that occur both during and after a variety of cancer treatments. The Ulman Cancer Fund’s CANCER to 5K program has been developed for cancer survivors who are currently in treatment for cancer and for cancer survivors who have completed treatment and are looking to add fitness to their current lifestyle.

The emotions at the CANCER to 5K Team’s most recent race – The Survivor Harbor 7 – in Baltimore, MD confirmed the claims made in this research. Participants, volunteers, coaches and spectators were bursting with pride every time a yellow CANCER to 5K shirt crossed the finish line. The members of the CT5K team have been through plenty of physical and emotional challenges in their lives, so it was remarkable to see them take control of their bodies and smile as they crossed that line and celebrated their great accomplishment on race day!

On Saturday, August 1 The Ulman Cancer Fund’s CANCER to 5K Team began the FALL 2009 training program. The program provides free 10 week training for all Cancer Survivors, ages 18-40+, regardless of diagnosis and/or treatment status.

This Fall The CANCER to 5K training will offer two (2) distance training programs:

5K & 7 Mile. The Team will be running in the Baltimore Running Festival 5K race and fielding two (2) 4-person Marathon Relay teams (7-miles per relay leg). The races will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2009 in Baltimore, MD. This season's training period is 10 weeks due to the race date as opposed to the normal 12-week training period.

* Cancer Survivors who are NEW to the CANCER to 5K program can train for the 5K race or the Marathon Relay Team (7-mile training). Training includes a personalized training schedule and coaching, free registration into the race, group training opportunities and a CT5K tshirt to be worn in the race, water-bottle and finisher medal (Medal presented upon finishing the race).

Upon registration, the CANCER to 5K Coaches will contact you to talk to you about your current fitness to get familiar with your experience and pace.

* Cancer Survivors who are ALUMNI of the CANCER to 5K program have the option to train sign up for either the 5K or the Marathon Relay team (7-mile training). Training includes a personalize training schedule and coaching, discounted registration into the race, a free tech tshirt, group training opportunities and a chance to reconnect with the training group and encourage and support new team members!

There are alternatives for those interested in the program that live out of the DC/VA area. Cancer to 5K offers coaching for "out-of-area" survivors as well. You can choose to sign up to train and race for the Baltimore Running Festival; do the training from home and meet up with the Team to run on race day OR you can choose a 5K or 7-mile race in your location (in/or around October 10, 2009 - within 1-2 weeks is recommended) and we'll support you with training and encouragement and get you to your RACE DAY GOAL!

Registration for the FALL 2009 Program is OPEN. Details on times and meeting locations for the Saturday morning and Tuesday evening Group Workouts can be found on the website: http://cancerto5k.com/

Open Registration for Cancer Survivors will close on Sunday, August 9, 2009.

Not a Cancer Survivor?

Volunteer positions for experienced runners are available on the CANCER to 5K team. We have a need for Pace Leaders to join us on either Saturday or Tuesday group workouts to help and we have a need for Race Day Sherpas to run with new runners on Race Day (October 1, 2009.)

Volunteers are welcome to all group workouts to train with the group and get to know the new runners prior to race day. Volunteer Runners who choose to be Race Day Sherpas (both 5K & 7 mile RELAY distance options) will be given a CANCER to 5K tech t-shirt and water-bottle for race day. Race registration details will be provided when you sign up as a volunteer.

Summer is going to be over before you know it! Come on out and join the Team as a Runner or a Volunteer! The Cancer to 5K program is a great way to get in shape, connect with fellow Cancer Survivors, conquer new challenges and GET IN THE FIGHT.

The rewards of the program go miles beyond the actual miles, medals and tshirts. These individuals form a team of survivors that serve as a unit of support for each other and inspiration for all.