I am excited for the 4th annual Beard Off for Cancer to Benefit the Ulman Cancer Fund! This year is especially touching to me because recently I lost another friend to cancer. This friend passed away from a rare testicular cancer in August at age 46. He was probably one of the most inspiring people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in my life. While living with cancer he completed 2 full marathons, countless half marathons, attended sporting events, started a garden all while going through treatment. You could almost say that Cancer was actually living with him! He could have given up, but he was always in the best of spirits! He was always good for the corniest jokes but you couldnt help laugh. Very motivational, thoughtful, funny, a real one of a kind. We didnt see each other often, maybe once or twice a year if we were lucky always at Fenway, which was fitting because I met him at a Nationals game the day before Nats park officially opened. We bonded over our love of Red Sox baseball and stayed in touch. We would always text each other as baseball season started, coordinating which games we might both be at and trying to make plans to get together. Each text would end with "See you at the Fens". While I know that I wont ever see him at the Fens, hes probably there cheering the olde towne team on every night of the week. This year I grow my beard for Tracy. Miss you buddy!

About the Beard Off 

The Beard Off Challenge began as a bet among a group of friends who wanted to see who could grow the best beard. It grew gloriously and in just three years has “fund-razed” over $70,000 for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. With a great beard comes great responsibility. All Bearders are committed to raising funds and, most importantly, awareness for The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, a non-profit dedicated to creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, impacted by cancer.

About the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults

At age 19, Doug Ulman was preparing for his sophomore year at Brown University. He was a healthy, active college student and Division I soccer player. One event would change his life forever. Doug was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma, a malignant tumor, located on a rib in his back.

The Founding of the UCF | 1997

Frustrated by the lack of resources and literature to speak to the unique needs of young adults affected by cancer, Doug and his family created The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults to fill this gap.

Helping Young Adults| 1997 – Present

Since our creation, the UCF expanded our reach to provide young adults and their families with a unique and comprehensive system of support. The UCF growth has resulted in many programs and services available across the United States.

This year's Beard Off for Cancer is Presented by M&T Bank

M&T Bank is considered one of the country's most highly regarded regional banks. We've built our business on a tradition of reliability, accuracy, and responsiveness to the needs of our customers. Founded 160 years ago, M&T Bank has a longstanding tradition of careful, conservative and consistent management. You’ll find M&T Bank to be a reliable bank that’s strong and stable, a local bank that’s committed to the communities we serve and a responsive bank that cares about what’s important to you, your family and your business.

One of our core beliefs is that the well-being of the bank is dependent upon the well-being of the communities we serve. Each year, we contribute more than $4.1 million to over 500not-for-profits in Maryland.  The Baltimore Business Journal ranked M&T the 5th most generous company in the region.

M&T’s clients have access to a wide array of financial solutions for your personal, business and commercial banking needs, designed to accommodate the way you bank today, while helping you build financial security for the future.