Like many people, I have experienced loss caused by cancer. Aunt Bilquis fought a rare stomach cancer for 9 hard months. Her fight was a long and painful one, but she always had family members by her side and in that way it was like we were fighting alongside her. When she passed away, it sent shockwaves of pain throughout my family, something that has been felt by too many other families. 

This November, I’m stepping into the ring in honor of the real fighters I’ve learned firsthand from - Aunt Bilquis, Jemima, Kasey and Sarah. I won’t be the one to make the next great scientific breakthrough nor am I qualified to treat cancer patients. But I can throw a punch, so I am grateful to be fighting in Haymakers for Hope because it is an opportunity for me to add my punch on top of the many it will take to end cancer.