This past April, life took my father, Robert Salem, away from me. There is no good way to go, and my pops didn't die of cancer but fighting in the ICU alongside him for 2 months, I got to witness countless difficult cases including a handful of cancer patients. 



Being his son and carrying his name is my biggest pride. When we lost the fight, I thought to myself:



"Maybe we were meant to fight but not to win. Maybe winning has a meaning we are yet to understand. In any case, a new type of fight starts now, and with you watching over us, we can only win". 



I remember very vividly the emotions I used to feel as a kid after watching Rocky. I'd want to become a boxer and inspire the world. Then reality would kick in and I'd go back to the regular stuff. 



On November 2nd, I have the once in a lifetime opportunity to be my own version of Rocky. To fulfill the fantasy I had as a kid. I am fighting for the kid in me who is still and will always be ready to defy the world with his big dreams and aspirations.

I am fighting for all the patients and families I got to meet in the ICU, I am fighting for all the patients and families who are going through this right now and those who are yet to go through it.



I am fighting for the grown man I have become, who's here to show the world a side of him they will not expect to see. I am fighting for my friends. The real ones. For my mom and for my brother.



I am fighting for you pap, and I'm coming with everything I got.