I have had 4 friends compete in Haymakers, and I attended 3 of their fights. Each time I attended, I imagined stepping into that ring and joining the fight to raise money for cancer. As with most, the fight is personal - I lost 2 close friends to brain cancer in their late twenties.

I grew up with Sam and Dave, two loyal and fun-loving friends who were wise beyond their years. Both would have given anything for a few more months. Sam left behind a toddler and Dave left behind a pregnant wife.

While a cure for cancer would be ideal, treatment advancements that prolong life have an incredible impact on cancer patients. Sam and Dave's battles illustrate how even incremental advances in care can profoundly impact patients' lives. In their memories, and the memory of my grandfathers, Robert Hallman and Ralph Mehall, I am honored to enter the ring to support cancer research.