CANCER CHANGES LIVES...AND SO CAN WE!

The road to Ironman is L-O-N-G and it is also kind of a "selfish" endeavor. A lot of time spent dedicated to swimming, biking, running, resting and unless your family and friends are into the same sports, there is not much time for socializing.

So with my second Ironman; I wanted to add something to my endeavor to change the nature of my Ironman experience. Ironman is BIG and so I wanted to do something BIG with it this time around. What I am doing is nothing "new", people all around me have done similar things, perhaps even bigger but this endeavor is "BIG" for me and so important to me, that it leaves me shaking in my shoes; just as my first Ironman did.

I am feeling the same feelings of doubt and insecurity that I felt before "Can I really do this?" "Have a I set a Goal that is over my head?" ...but I have experience and passion on my side. And I have never been one to back away from a FIGHT that I believe in so very much...

It is with pride and fear that I invite you all to join me on my road to Ironman Lake Placid 2013. I'll be spending the next 14 months training and blogging and doing just a little bit more...

 My name is Holly Shoemaker, I am a Stage III Melanoma survivor and I TRI to FIGHT! I am heading to Ironman Lake Placid in 2013 to represent Team FIGHT, The Ulman Cancer Fund and the CANCER to 5K program.

NOTE: Not one dime from the money raise will go towards my actual participation in Ironman Lake Placid 2013. It all goes to the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults! I am paying the costs for my travel, training, accommodations and race registration. There is no "fundraising minimum" of any kind except the one that I have determined - $20,000! My intentions are to raise awareness and money for thie amazing programs that the Ulman Cancer Fund brings to so many young adult survivors and their families. So please GIVE GENEROUSLY and SHARE MY BLOG and FUNDRAISING PAGE with everybody you know! Every Donation, no matter the amount Will Make A Difference!

My goal is $20,000.00 by July 26, 2013. (My 43rd birthday) Make a donation and join me in the FIGHT AGAINST CANCER - IN HONOR AND SUPPORT of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. 

I was 34-years-old when I was diagnosed with Stage III Melnoma. To be in my mid-30s and diagnosed with cancer was shocking. Walk into an oncologist office and you are surrounded by fellow patients in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.  I had nobody to turn to and nobody to relate to both as a young adult and as a runner/triathlete. Being a young adult with Cancer is a lonely place to be. Your either the oldest one in treatment; getting treatment in the Pediatric Oncology Unit (if your in your late teens/ early 20s) or your "too young" to have cancer and you must fight to make informed decisions with the goal of "long term survivor-ship" in mind. (in your 20s, 30s, 40s) The voice of young adult cancer survivors and their families needs to be recognized, heard and supported. This is where the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults makes a difference every day!

There is no organization as dear to my heart as the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. The programs that they offer Young Adult Cancer Survivors and their families make a difference in the lives of those of us diagnosed in that middle age, "too young for cancer."  This year, more than 70,000 young adults will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States.

70,000 new diagnosed cancer survivors who deserve support, who deserve a voice.

The Ulman Cancer Fund's goal is to enhance lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer.

Join me in the FIGHT to raise $20,000.00 to support the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults so we can keep amazing programs like Patient Navigation Services, One-on-One Cancer Support, CANCER to 5K, College Scholorship Programs and YACS going and growing strong!

Thank you for your support, your donations and welcome along on the journey to my second Ironman - IN HONOR AND SUPPORT of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults!

Life is Good! LiveSTRONG!