Hello Everyone.  My name is Joshua Minton and I'm a 29 year old Captain in the United States Army.  I was diagnosed with neuroendorcrine cancer in September of 2014.  Currently I'm enrolled in a clinical trial to treat and manage my cancer.  I'm very humbled to announce that I will be taking part of the Ulman Cancer Fund's Key to Keys bike ride, journey and experience.  Key to Keys event is a 1,500 miles bike ride from Baltimore, Maryland to Key West, Florida.  Each rider will ride approximately 400-500 miles along with stopping at cancer clinics and several community events to provide support and raise awareness of the struggles young adults with cancer face.

What is a young adult with cancer?  A young adult with cancer is a 15-40 year old with approximately 70,000 new cases each year.  But it's much more than just a statistic.  It's an individual that is in the prime of there life.  They are at the peak physical age.  They are a kid just starting college.  They are recently married and starting a career.  They are a new parent with very young children.  For me personally, I was a 27 year old Soldier.  I loved my job in the Army.  I was recently engaged.  I had a clear plan on my future with goals.  I had everything I wanted in life and was working for everything else I still wanted.  I was indestructible, or so I thought.  

The Ulman Cancer Fund is an organization based in Baltimore, Maryland with coverage in Washington, DC as well.  This group is specifically designed to support young adults as they are faced with cancer.  Whether it be social events, group meetings, physical events such as cancer to 5ks, they do a little bit of everything.  I can vouch first hand on how beneficial this organization's efforts are.  Part of the money the Key to Keys event raises goes directly towards sponsoring the young adult cancer program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.  This is a group I've been a part of since my arrival to Walter Reed in October of 2014.  Being a young adult with cancer is very unique experience.  Being a young adult with cancer and also a member of the United States Military is even more of a unique population and that's exactly what I'm a part of at Walter Reed.  Having UCF sponsor our group and provide opportunities for us to help each other, support each other and have fun has made a tremendous impact on my life.

I'm very humbled to be able to take part of this experience.  One of the biggest reasons I'm so humbled is because I see firsthand on a day to day basis the effects of cancer on all age groups.  Having my cancer as stable as it is with an amazing clinical trial that I'm on with no side effects, I'm very lucky to even be physically, mentally and emotionally capable of embarking on such a journey.  I've learned from my brothers and sisters that are fighting cancer not to take anything for granted.  I'm also doing this event in honor of the memory of a few very close and personal friends that have finished their fight with cancer and are no longer with us.  I'm doing it to remember the lessons those individuals had taught me, on how to live life to the fullest, with courage, compassion and strength.  I'm doing it for there families to show them that the loved one they lost will never be forgotten.

And the most important reason I'm doing this event is to honor the memory of 3 of the greatest people I have ever met.  All 3 have finished there fight with cancer and are no longer with us but there memory and the lessons they have taught are things I carry with me every single day.  Amber Reynolds, a High School Classmate of mine.  Army Captain Andrew Maitner and Air Force Captain Ian Helms.  Two fellow service members I became very close with upon there arrival at Walter Reed.  Stay tune to this page, my Facebook page and other community events to learn more of there story and why support any young adult cancer program is such a noble cause.

Thank you for considering donating to this fantastic cause or supporting it in whatever way you can.  Show those with cancer that they are not alone!