Dear Family & Friends, as I close out my 30’s in a few months I have been trying to determine how I would like to celebrate the next decade of my life. At first I began saving for an epic adventure, and to spend my 40th birthday someplace exotic and amazing. But as I get older I’ve found that the deepest sense of satisfaction and happiness I feel is when I am in the service of others. In a serendipitous moment, I discovered an organization called Haymaker’s for Hope, who facilitate amateur boxing bouts across the country in an effort to raise money for cancer research and awareness. Their mission is to give everyday men and women the chance to fight back against this terrible disease by training for, and competing in, charity boxing events to raise money and awareness.

When I discovered this organization, I decided to make the last year of my 30’s about something bigger than myself. I applied to be a fighter and was surprisingly accepted. Little did I know that the 16 weeks of training would shape up to be the most grueling and intense workouts of my life. The organization I have selected to fight and raise money for is called First Descents. Their mission is to provide life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer. My goal for this event is to raise $5,000 in order to send several young-adults impacted by cancer on a trip of their lifetime. This organization facilitate adventure trips across the country in order to create a sense of community among a population that suffers from higher rates of anxiety, depression, and isolation after a cancer diagnosis. As I work in the mental health field for a firm that delivers adventure and wilderness therapy, First Descents aligns perfectly with my own values and profession.

Please consider supporting me in my efforts to have a profound impact on young adults suffering from this insidious disease. If you are local to Denver, own a business, and would like to sponsor or coordinate a team or group outing to the event please reach out for more information. Tickets to the event, which will be held at The Filmore Auditorium on June 6th, will go on sale in 2 weeks, and I hope you will consider joining to support in person!!

Stay tuned for ridiculous training videos as I continue to get my butt kicked every morning from 5-7am at ToS Boxing Gym in Denver…

#HaymakersforHope #KOCancer #FirstDescents