On November 18, 2016, I am competing in Haymakers for Hope’s 5th Annual NYC Hope charity boxing event at the Hammerstein Ballroom. I am fighting in memory of Peter Hoffman, a classmate from the American School in London, who fought an aggressive form of tongue cancer. Peter died at the age of 24, just seven months after his initial diagnosis - unable to eat, drink or speak - but with incredible dignity, grace and above all else – courage.

As I train for this fight, I am inspired by Peter and hope to raise lots of money and awareness in his honor. As Peter was dying – in unbelievable distress – he wrote: "[m]y friends and family have always been the most important thing in my life, and I can't thank you enough for being so amazingly supportive of me throughout this entire ordeal. I feel honored and fortunate to have been surrounded by the people I was for these last 24 years, and I only hope that I was able to give back to you even a fraction of what you've all given me. . . . [I]t's a pretty difficult time to try and convey my thoughts. I wish you all the best for your futures, and I only wish I could be there to partake in them. "

This is something no 24-year-old man should be forced to write and is so profoundly brave and heartbreaking – let’s fight back in Peter’s memory. This is what this event is about – please give whatever you can #ifightforpete #kocancer #oralcancerfoundation. More about Peter and oral cancer to come. All donations are tax deductible, and tickets are now on sale. All proceeds I raise benefit the Hoffman’s charity, the Oral Cancer Foundation.