About

Since the fall of 2007, 47 cancer survivors have successfully completed the CANCER to 5K training program and run local 5K distance races accompanied by dedicated volunteers.  Many of these runners participated in the program while concurrently being treated for cancer and many of the past participants have gone on to serve as program volunteers.

The idea of Cancer to 5K developed from the personal experiences of founder Holly Gannoe-Shoemaker, while she underwent treatment for cancer.  Holly, a nodular melanoma survivor, was encouraged to move forward with this idea after participating in the Inaugural Livestrong Summit held on October 28-29, 2006 in Austin, TX by the Lance Armstrong Foundation and receiving a grant from the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

In February of 2005, Holly was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer (Nodular Melanoma, Stage III) and started treatment that May.   Her treatment plan included two major surgeries to remove the melanoma and several lymph nodes, as well as, adjuvant therapy with Interferon Alfa 2B. The adjuvant chemotherapy plan involved  four weeks of daily high dose intravenous infusions of Interferon Alfa 2B followed by self-injections for 48 weeks.

At the time of her diagnosis, Holly was an active triathlete with many triathlons on her scheduled and she had planned to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October of 2005. After missing two scheduled triathlons due to surgery and the high dose IV treatment, Holly decided that she did not want to give up her Marine Corps Marathon dream just because she would be in chemotherapy.  Holly approached her Oncologist and her coach and the three of them worked collectively to develop a plan that allowed her to complete chemotherapy, while training for the marathon. On October 30, 2005, accompanied by two friends who served as her own race day “Sherpas”, Holly successfully completed the marathon using a run/walk interval plan which allowed her to maintain of pace of 14:00 miles, beating the 14th Street Bridge cutoff, for an official finish time of 6:08:09 and 17,303 out of 18,806 participants.

Holly went on to finish several more races in the final six months of her treatment and has gained back her pre-cancer fitness finishing several races from 5K to marathons on her own and with her CANCER to 5K teammates.  She has also continued training for and racing in triathlons.  In November 2009, Holly finished her first IRONMAN triathlon in 16:17:48 at the Beach2Battleship in Wilmington, N.C. – her largest athletic accomplishment to date.

Holly started running and doing triathlons as an adult, with no prior experience and truly believes one can “start a healthy lifestyle anytime.”  Holly also believes that her healthy lifestyle before, during and now after her cancer diagnosis was and is a BIG factor in her Survivorship.  She hopes this program will encourage other Survivors to embrace the joys that come with living a healthy lifestyle and running.

A member of the Cyclists Combating Cancer, Holly is a proud supporter of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and a strong believer in their motto “Unity is Strength, Knowledge is Power, and Attitude is Everything”.

“You don’t have to run far, to have fun!” ~ Holly Gannoe-Shoemaker

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About the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is a non-profit organization focused on enhancing lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer. We were founded in 1997 by Doug Ulman, a three-time cancer survivor by age 20, to address the general lack of information and resources for young adults facing cancer.

Since our inception in 1997, UCF has raised over $7 Million to support the young adult cancer fight. We support young adults facing cancer or the cancer battle of a loved one through patient navigation services, local support groups, awareness through sport programs (including Cancer to 5K, the 4K for Cancer, and Team FIGHT, young adult resource connections, awareness events, college scholarships, and more!

To find out more about the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, please visit www.ulmancancerfund.org.