I've watched many of my close family members and friends with cancer fight for their lives in hopes of a cure. My grandmother, Nancy Collins, diagnosed twice with breast cancer and my grandmother, Marilyn Coir, with ovarian cancer. While Nancy is no longer with us, both of my grandmothers' courage in the face of adversity continues to be an inspiration to me every day. I didn't realize exactly what their fight felt like until I had my own cancer scare 3 years ago, and because of great healthcare and quick action, I am able to live life exactly as planned today.

I am one of the lucky ones. There are hundreds of thousands of people we don't know who are going through their own battles with cancer every day. I'm fighting to honor the legacy of strong women who paved the way before me and to empower future generations of women.

These next four months will test me mentally and physically, and I'm asking for any donation, no matter the size, to help fuel my training and contribute to finding a cure.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, "you gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." On October 10th, I'll step into the ring to turn fear into hope and support knocking out cancer for good!