My grandmother, known by everyone as Nonnie, was the matriarch of our large Italian family, and has impacted my life more so than anyone else to this day. After her four-year battle with cancer, these were the last words she said to me before she passed. Her final days were spent among her loving family, and with the easy grace for which she was so well known. I remember that day she gave me a warm feeling that through her strength and will, these final days were lived out on her terms – not by those dictated by the cancer she was battling.

I have long admired the Haymakers for Hope organization and I told Nonnie before she passed that I would be stepping into the ring in her honor. Now, after a short break in the H4H series, I have been given that opportunity on November 18th to show a fraction of the strength and willpower shown by her and the millions of others fighting this awful disease. 

Every single person has been impacted in some way by cancer. 

Every. Single. Person. 

My training and my Haymakers journey are in honor of Nonnie. In celebration of those in my life who have won their own bouts with cancer – my Godmother Aunt Sue, and my Aunt Stacey. And will be fighting alongside my cousin Sherry in her own current battle against Leiomyosarcoma. 

This journey is a humbling road; mentally and physically challenging, and at times a lonely undertaking – nevertheless, challenges I can only imagine pale in comparison to those of our loved ones impacted by cancer. Please consider joining me in this fundraising effort to help ensure more of our loved ones do not have to fight their own battles with cancer.