I am happy and honored to be fighting in honor of Nicholas Pedone, who lost his hard battle with Cancer in 2013. The Nicholas Pedone Foundation has been established in memory of "Sweet Nicholas" who lost his fight to Stage 3 Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Nicholas was 7 years old.

Throughout Nicholas' journey with Neuroblastoma, he demonstrated true heroism and bravery. With a consistent smile on his face, Sweet Nicholas fought hard and remains a hero to many.

Because of his beautiful smile and his positive personality, the journey was tolerable. Nicholas' attitude was one of the most important things to his parents and they did whatever was necessary to protect the only thing they felt they had control over...his magnetic smile.

He was encouraged to always Fight Hard Smile Big. These were the words he and his family lived by during his battle and still today. Nicholas' smile was his family's strength and in turn, his family's smile was Nicholas' strength. It was an energy they all fed off of. This is what kept everyone fighting and kept everyone positive. There was no other choice. When Nicholas smiled, everyone around him smiled too. This includes not only family and friends, but Doctors, Nurses and Child Life Specialists. A smile goes a long way and is contagious to all those around who view it. A child's smile can brighten even the darkest moments. And that is what Nicholas did!

The Nicholas Pedone Foundation carries on his legacy by delivering smiles to courageous kids fighting cancer and encourages them to Fight Hard Smile Big and never give up!

Haymakers for Hope gives everyday men and women the opportunity to fight back against this terrible disease by training for, and competing in charity boxing events to raise money and awareness. To prepare for each event, they combine the efforts of the first time amateur boxing participants, local boxing gyms and volunteers. We hope to help give life saving researchers the resources needed to fully focus their efforts on finding a cure.