I’m stepping into the ring in honor of my grandmother and the legacy she built in Philadelphia.

My grandmother was deeply committed to creating safe, supportive spaces for young people in our city. Long before community wellness became a buzzword, she believed in showing up—consistently—for those who needed guidance, care, and opportunity. Through her leadership, she raised $1.5 million to build the Althea Gibson Community Education and Tennis Center in North Philadelphia, providing youth access to programs like tennis, chess, graphic design, and fashion design.

Operating a nonprofit, the responsibility was heavy, the stress constant, and it took a serious toll on her health. After her second battle with cancer, she was exhausted. Cancer doesn’t just affect the body—it drains the emotional and physical reserves people rely on to keep going.

Today, I continue her legacy in a different way. As a Reiki Master based in Philadelphia, I work directly in the community creating accessible spaces for mindfulness, meditation, and self-regulation practices. I see this work as preventative care—supporting the nervous system, reducing chronic stress, and helping people build resilience before illness takes hold.

I’m fighting to honor those who’ve battled cancer, those still in the fight, and those who gave everything to care for others while neglecting themselves. This match is about awareness, research, survivorship, and the belief that caring for our health—mental and physical—should never be an afterthought.

Thank you for supporting this fight and helping fund critical cancer research and care through Haymakers for Hope.