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.

Two Wins for Wassner Twins - Another Victory for TEAM FIGHT!!

Friday July 31, 2009

Wassner twins each picked up a win over the weekend, with Rebeccah becoming the first New Yorker to win the NYC Triathlon while Laurel dominated the Uberman Tri in New Jersey. Laurel also raced in NY and finished 6th.

Read more...

Watch a highlight video from NYC Triathlon Race Organizers

Good luck to Laurel and Bec in this weekends sheROX Philadelphia sprint triathlon

They're Ready to FIGHT!

TEAM FIGHT entering the water together at the Aflac Iron Girl Practice Swim on July 31, 2009

This morning over 800 women gathered at Centennial Lake to participate in the "Dress Rehearsal/Practice Swim" for the Aflac Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon which will take place on August 23, 2009. Over 70 of the women present are part of the Ulman Cancer Fund's TEAM FIGHT! Training together for the past 6+ months, TEAM FIGHT entered the waters of Centennial Lake together as a wave and will continue work together out of the water to raise money and awareness to help FIGHT Cancer! To date, TEAM FIGHT has raised over $100K to support young adults and families affected by cancer in our community.

Congrats to all our TEAM FIGHTER'S who participated in the "Dress Rehearsal" and stay tuned for more updates in August.

To learn more about TEAM FIGHT - sign-up, make a donation....visit http://www.teamfight.org/