participant profile image

Jason O'Connell

Weight

190 lbs

Height

5' 10"

Age

37

Occupation

Investment Management
Donate to Jason O'Connell
Event Details

Raised

$22,810.00

Goal

$10,000

Why I box

It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things. - Theodore Roosevelt

I am participating in the 2016 Haymakers for Hope amateur boxing event as my small contribution to helping find a cure for cancer, a disease currently so pervasive and devastating that it unfortunately will very likely affect every one of us on some level, at some point.

I lost my sister Debbie to cancer in 2014. Witnessing her 3+ year battle with the disease and ultimately her death at its hands profoundly impacted me emotionally, and in turn physically. Far worse than anything I endured, I watched my sister’s suffering, I watched her three young children lose their mother, I watched a husband lose his wife, and I watched my own mom lose a child. If I can do anything at all to spare others from that terrible experience, I will.

As I have begun to spread the word to family, friends, and co-workers, there have been a variety of reactions, the most common being “why boxing?”. My answer is that I would like whatever I do to fight cancer to be very challenging, both symbolically as I think about what patients go through, and also because I think it will lend itself to raising more money and awareness. My experience with boxing so far suggests that “challenging” is quite the understatement. Until you have done it, you have no appreciation for the toughness, athleticism, and mental endurance required to box. And getting repeatedly punched in the face is just not fun, plain and simple. At the end of the day, however, it is nothing compared to what those affected by cancer go through and, in my mind, is the very least I can do.

For these next four months, I plan to dedicate myself to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with the incredible team at FA Boxing, raise as much money as possible for cancer research, and literally fight for a cure. Your support means the world to me. I hope to see you in the crowd at the House of Blues on May 19th.

Thank you!

Rock 'N Rumble VI

Event date

May 19, 2016 @ 11:00 PM

Location

House of Blues
15 Landsdowne St Boston, MA 02215 United States

145 Donations Made

See all

228%

$50.00

Over 6 years ago

Name

Belinda Cavazos

Good luck, and protect yourself!

228%

$100.00

Over 6 years ago

Name

Lisa Heskett

Keep up the good fight!

227%

$100.00

Over 6 years ago

Name

Ron Kraus

You are supporting a great cause.

Previous Events

boxing

Rock 'N Rumble VI

Thursday May 19, 2016

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