A wise man once wrote I am sick of writing about cancer, it lends cancer too much credit, credit it does not deserve.

Why Haymakers?
I’ve personally watched Haymakers for Hope contribute millions of dollars to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston in the three years I’ve known about them. Dana Farber treated my friend Mary this year when she underwent treatment for breast cancer. She’s 28.

My uncle is being treated by many of the doctors in that network for prostate cancer. Those same doctors treated my own outstanding, resilient father in 1994 for prostate cancer. And from the bottom of my heart, I know they are funding, hiring, raising or developing a bright mind who will find a way to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Why fighting?
Since I came out of the womb, I’ve had people reminding me how small I am. So a bad case of Napoleon syndrome was inevitable. Also, self discipline was (is) not always my forte. Which is why a handful of girls from high school will probably be pumped to see me get KO’ed. Boxing is an ideal fitness goal to kill 3-5 birds with one stone. There is not another sport that teaches you mental toughness the same way.

The day I was accepted into Haymakers was my friend Kev’s dad’s birthday. I recently moved across country and was feeling homesick but an Insta came up reminding me and I pulled out his book, “A Man from Mission Hill.” to get a little inspiration for the day. Big Kev passed away in 2007 from cancer and after his service, this compilation of memories was handed out. Kevin A wrote an essay about how his Dad would tell him “don’t have a good day, have a great day” every time he dropped him at school every day. He was one of those guys. Imagine having a book full of people talking about what a good person you are? Like individual stories, thoughts, jokes, thank yous, I owe yous. It always reminds me that there’s more good to be done.

On June 14, I’ll be getting in the ring to help literally KO cancer. I feel very grateful to participate in an event that champions survival and thriving in the face of pain and suffering. It's incredibly moving to hear and train alongside stories of resilience and strength. We need more outstanding Dads and we need them healthy.

Donate or share - either way, your support means the world.

-Jessie