Life is a journey...I know that sounds cliche, but it's very true.
It's 1976. The age before cell phones, Google, social media. A time when everything seemed a lot simpler. The word "cancer" was as foreign to most people as computers. When my parents told me that I had Leukemia, I remember thinking, "It must not be that bad. They don't seem that upset." All I knew was that I wasn't allowed to go to school, I spent tons of time traveling from Ohio to NY for doctor appointments, and lots of relatives came to visit us. Other than that, I was a normal 9-year old. What I didn't know was that I had a disease that had no cure, not very good odds of remission, and almost every drug was experimental. I was the clinical trial.
Fast forward 27 years...
That word "cancer" is used again. This time, it's Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. And this time, I face it head-on because there is no other option and now I am fully aware of just how deadly this disease can be. And this time, I am not the child anymore. I have 3 young children and a husband that I have no intention of leaving...so I fight again. And I will fight as long as it takes, for myself, and for everyone else who hears that word.
It is because of organizations like the Ulman Cancer Fund that I am here to tell my story. The donations that are raised contribute to awareness, patient support, and so many other aspects in the journey that is cancer. I am lucky enough to be a part of the team that will participate in the Key to Keys Ride from Baltimore to Key West in April 2015.
There are so many people still fighting...please consider making a donation. And I'll keep fighting!
UCF Experiences Key to Keys is a journey that brings together a diverse group of individuals to build a community of support for those affected by cancer. Using cycling as a platform, Key to Keys participants come together throughout the journey to share their individual cancer connections and give out as much support to others as they are receiving.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Jim Weinberg | 04/21/2015 | $100.00 | Kym Beaver | 04/10/2015 | $25.00 | Ride Strong and have fun Holly and Brian. So proud of and inspired by both of you!!! xo | Carolyn & John Wertz | 04/10/2015 | $100.00 | Holly, so in awe of you and your strength in this fight. Safe travels my friend. We'll go easy on you when you get back! | Mike & Margery McCann | 02/28/2015 | $100.00 | Thanks for doing the hard work | Keith & Arleen Evans | 02/28/2015 | $100.00 | Thanks for making a difference | Christy Farrington | 02/11/2015 | $20.00 | Maria Williams | 02/10/2015 | $300.00 | Holly you are an amazing lady! We love and support what you are doing! | Shanda Redding | 02/10/2015 | $50.00 | You are awesome! Best of luck! | Sue and Trey Bowmar | 02/10/2015 | $50.00 | Good luck Holly!! You've got this!! | The McCandless Family | 02/10/2015 | $195.00 | Love you - You will do great!!! | JeanAnn Weaver | 02/10/2015 | $25.00 | Good luck Holly! | Joy Pantuso | 02/03/2015 | $25.00 | You're amazing Holly. Xoxo. | Barrie Kamen | 01/31/2015 | $30.00 | Go Holly!!!!! | Judith Schoen | 01/26/2015 | $30.00 | Good luck on your long journey. I hope you reach your goal and give hope to others. God Bless you | Sharon Johnson | 01/22/2015 | $50.00 | Good Luck Holly! | Patricia Zisa | 01/20/2015 | $20.00 | Safe trip Holly & good luck. | Janet Martin | 01/19/2015 | $20.00 | Good luck Holly! | Carolyn Ruble | 01/18/2015 | $25.00 | Way to go Holly!!!! | Carole & Ed McCann | 01/18/2015 | $100.00 | Cheering you on our Dear Strong and Wonderful daughter-in-law! Have fun on your ride! | Barbara Stanbury | 01/18/2015 | $50.00 | Laurie Hamstra | 01/18/2015 | $25.00 | ~Great Job! ~Great Cause! ~Safe Travels, Holly!! | Kevin McCann | 01/18/2015 | $100.00 | Heroes come in many forms..... Good luck. | The Stewart Family | 01/18/2015 | $25.00 | Good luck Holly! The Stewarts will be rooting for you! | Meridith Swanson | 01/17/2015 | $25.00 | “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.” This is you Holly! You are an inspiration. Continue the fight! | Nicholas Lazzaro | 01/17/2015 | $20.00 | Happy to see you doing this trip! Best of luck!! =) | Klein Family | 01/11/2015 | $100.00 | Good luck Holly, from your West Coast Florida cousins! <3 | Linda MacDonald | 01/08/2015 | $25.00 | Thank you Holly for all that you are doing!! Best of luck!! :) | Sue Ford | 12/30/2014 | $100.00 | Damaris Cianci | 12/30/2014 | $35.00 | Good Luck Holly! | Michelle Hibbard | 12/29/2014 | $25.00 | Good Luck! | Christopher Bogzevitz | 12/22/2014 | $25.00 | Good luck, Holly! Love Chris, Michaela, Henry and Edwin | John Montillo | 12/19/2014 | $100.00 | Kathy Sessions | 12/07/2014 | $50.00 | You are a warrior! All the best to you in this endeavor. | DIANE Mccann | 12/02/2014 | $100.00 | You Rock Holly!! You are going to do great!!! xoxo | Kathy and Al Sarabasa | 12/02/2014 | $100.00 | Ride long and hard!! What a wonderful reason! | Martha McCann | 11/30/2014 | $100.00 | Go, Holly! | Cheri Heulitt | 11/29/2014 | $50.00 | So proud of you Holly!!! You are a true inspiration! Safe ride to all the team:) | Maureen Miller | 11/29/2014 | $50.00 | Melissa Hazlewood | 11/28/2014 | $500.00 | To be a survivor and to ride for the cure, Thank you Holly!! Stay strong! | Tracy & Scott Nicholson | 11/26/2014 | $100.00 | Great Job and Good Luck, Holly | Jeff Rembisz | 11/22/2014 | $100.00 | Good Luck Holly! | Susan Warren | 11/10/2014 | $50.00 | You have faced many challenges and fought them. You are a success story for others to follow and believe. Hope it is an easy ride in good weather | Jennifer Palazzo | 11/08/2014 | $25.00 | Great job, Holly! | Gail McCann | 11/08/2014 | $25.00 | Bran and I are happy to have, a survivor you in our livs.. "Fight like a girl"... | Daniel Cianci | 11/07/2014 | $50.00 | Safe travels from the Cianci's! | Sue Monaco | 11/07/2014 | $100.00 | You are truely an inspiration. Lots of love to you!! | Robert and Janet Satola | 11/07/2014 | $500.00 | We love you and wish you a safe ride to the Keys. You are very special to all of us, especially a proud Mom and Dad. | Fayanne Hooning | 11/07/2014 | $150.00 | We are so happy you are a survivor! | Dawn McCann | 11/05/2014 | $25.00 | Garrett Bliss | 10/28/2014 | $50.00 | Cancer has touched my family many times. Keep up the good fight! | Tracey Sarn | 10/27/2014 | $50.00 | Thank you for taking the ride and supporting the such an amazing cause. | Samantha Fahy | 10/27/2014 | $50.00 | Great you are doing this. You are so strong!! | Peter and Kathy Gaccione | 10/26/2014 | $500.00 | Just remember that Cancer is not a sentence! It's only a word and you can win. | Scott Selnick | 10/25/2014 | $100.00 | Cassandra Harrington | 10/24/2014 | $100.00 | Great job Holly!!! Such a strong person. I admire your strength. xoxo |
| Total | $4,945.00 | ||