Last year, I embarked on a journey to fight cancer that took me from the Key Bridge in Baltimore to Key West, Florida. While not a cancer survivor myself, I lost my grandmother to cancer and have several friends impacted by cancer. As a 30-something, the Ulman Cancer Fund for young adults is an organization I believe in. Through sport (like the Cancer to 5K program), and Cancer Navigation services for patients undergoing treatment, the Ulman Cancer Fund supports patients in their teens through age 40. Imagine a college student or a young mother affected by cancer. Having someone help you along that journey and connecting you with a peer group and cancer survivors could make all the difference.
In 2013, the Key to Keys group raised enough to fund a cancer navigator at the Walter Reed Military Medical Center. This pairing of the civilian and military worlds will help to support the men and women of our military who are far from home and facing a cancer diagnosis. I thought I would step back this year from the ride, but realized this cause is too important to me.
I ask for your support not for me, but for all those young adults fighting cancer in our area, and all those who haven't yet received their diagnosis.
You can read about our journey in 2013 here: http://www.kierdoestri.blogspot.com/2013/04/key-to-keys-journey.html
TEAM FIGHT Key to Keys was established to give individuals an opportunity to create a community of support for those affected by cancer, while cycling down the Atlantic Coast through some of the most beautiful parts of the United States.
Below is a video of last year's ride and the experience that went along with the journey. Check it out, share it, and enjoy!
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Mary Gergely | 04/10/2014 | $50.00 | Keep peddling for such a good cause! | Anonymous Friend | 04/03/2014 | $50.00 | Jill Poon | 04/02/2014 | $25.00 | Kiersten have a great trip, safe travels and go kick butt!!! | Pamela A. Shuman | 04/02/2014 | $70.00 | Brigid Meyer | 03/27/2014 | $100.00 | Best wishes and good luck!!! | Chris Zahlis | 03/27/2014 | $15.00 | Heather Beutel | 03/22/2014 | $25.00 | Good luck Kiersten! | Kyle Jossi | 03/07/2014 | $20.00 | Joyce Buckley | 03/07/2014 | $25.00 | Irene McDonald | 03/07/2014 | $60.00 | Irene Garner | 03/07/2014 | $50.00 | Front Porch Micro Winery, LLC | 03/05/2014 | $1,455.00 | Deborah Perry | 03/03/2014 | $210.00 | Michael Rossberg | 03/02/2014 | $35.00 | Meredith Waddington | 03/02/2014 | $25.00 | Kyle Jossi | 03/02/2014 | $305.00 | Elizabeth Walshe | 03/02/2014 | $150.00 | Nancy Hudson | 03/02/2014 | $20.00 | Timothy Sugrue | 03/02/2014 | $155.00 | Nelson Ortiz | 03/02/2014 | $25.00 | Good luck Kiersten. | Stephanie Jones | 01/04/2014 | $100.00 | Leslie Jessell | 01/04/2014 | $60.00 | Happy Birthday Kyle! Best of luck in this encore adventure Kier! | Wendy Evans | 01/03/2014 | $50.00 | This is to honor the memory of my mother, who passed away 14 years ago from cancer. | Nicole Wolanski | 01/03/2014 | $600.00 | Go Kier! April 11, 2014 would have been Mike's 60th, so this donation is in honor of milestone birthdays :) | David Jossi | 01/01/2014 | $500.00 | I first met Chris and his wife, Pat, when Kyle and I moved into married student housing at the University of Florida. Chris, who was in law school, and I hit it off from the beginning and he soon became one of the closest friends in my life. Since we were both "wild and crazy guys" we enjoyed any number of adventures and good times together. He was also one of the most intelligent people I've ever known. I still remember some of our discussions and debates vividly since they tended to be quite "lively". Cancer claimed Chris less than three weeks ago. But he didn't go gently--he fought it with the same passion he brought to just about everything he did in life. I cannot think of a better way to honor him and the battle he waged against cancer than supporting Kiersten and the Key to Keys ride. | David Vess | 12/31/2013 | $50.00 | Missie and I wish we could go along for the ride too. Best of luck and enjoy every minute of the ride. | Gloria Collins | 12/31/2013 | $50.00 | Kiersten, I'm so happy you have decided to take this challenge on again for this very worthy cause. Good Luck with your training (not that you need it) and I'll be excited to see your Key to Keys journey play out. gloria | Douglas McDonald | 12/23/2013 | $25.00 | Go Kier! | Christina Miller | 12/13/2013 | $50.00 | Andree Miceli | 12/13/2013 | $100.00 | Donation in honor of Nancy, Jack, Gene, Cyndy and Cris. | Julian Coates | 12/12/2013 | $50.00 |
| Total | $4,505.00 | ||