Cancer is unfortunately something that touches all of our lives. As I've grown up, I've watched as more people in my life were forced to fight against this terrible disease. I've watched a Grandfather live a relatively long and comfortable life after being told he had 6 months to live. I've watched my own father undergo 2 surgeries to fight renal carcinoma, the most recent one just months ago, as he continues to fight and recover. Sadly, I've also watched my Uncle lose his fight to pancreatic cancer. However, as personal as each of these cases has been to me, they're not even the most tragic cases that I've had to bear witness to. 

That's because even though each of the aforementioned individuals was family, at least I could take comfort in the fact that each had lived a relatively full life - each had been given the chance to get through adolescence, college, young adulthood - in relatively good health and without any major setbacks due to illness. Each of these family members had a chance to "grow up" before they were forced to engage in an unexpected fight for their lives. 

As I get older, having just crossed "over the hill" and out of the "Young Adult" category that the Ulman Cancer Fund targets its effort on, I've gained perspective on just how much I and may others like me take for granted the whole notion of "growing up". In many ways, I'm still fighting against it. It's important to understand what a luxury it is to be able to largely choose how quickly and in what manner we grow up.

For over 70,000 young adults every year, individual plans on growing up are thrown aside as they're handed a diagnosis that will forever alter their story and engage them in the fight of their life. That's right, over 70,000 otherwise healthy young adults - people finishing school, competing at a high level in sport, launching careers or starting a family are confronted with an unexpected challenge - as they are told they have cancer. 

I've watched buddies undergo surgery while in the prime of their collegiate athletic career. I've seen seemingly countless friends and colleagues get handed a diagnosis that disrupted whatever plans they had or whatever course they thought they were on. Most tragically, I've had to watch as children - too young to even be called young adults - have had to fight this terrible disease rather than go to school, play on the playground, or just grow up healthy and happy. 

But one thing I have seen in each of these individuals is: FIGHT. 

So I have decided to join the fight this year, doing my small part to help beat cancer by joining the Ulman Cancer Fund Key to Keys ride, journey and experience. Key to Keys is a 1,500 mile bike ride from Baltimore, Maryland to Key West, Florida. Each rider will ride approximately 400-500 miles - stopping at cancer clinics and community events along the way - to help raise awareness and deliver support to those fighting cancer.

So if you know someone who has been affected by cancer, whether a child, a young adult, or like me - someone who's otherwise lived a great life well into adulthood - please consider a donation. Your contribution will help not only support my journey, but also the many volunteers, support staff, drivers, and riders that donate their time, energy and passion to join us as we draw attention and raise money to end the fight against cancer. 

This is a fight we will win - and this is your opportunity to join us. Thanks!

Cancer changes lives - so do we!