Wednesday 2 November 2016

My Auntie Heather

My Uncle George stopped me at the funeral home, rolled up his sleeve and showed me that he had his Fight to End Cancer bracelet on that I sent to him last year post fight. He told me he hasn't taken it off since and to 'keep fighting'.

He wasn't talking about just boxing, he was talking about cancer. My family and I travelled to Montreal this past weekend to celebrate my Auntie Heather's life with her kids, grandkids, six siblings (my mum's side), close friends and family. It was a beautiful celebration.

My Auntie Heather had cancer for 11 years and as her son put it, "it didn't define her." She was so much more than that and though she did fight with cancer every single day - it didn't take away from her role as a mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. She was Heather.  And that was enough.

The last time I saw my Auntie Heather was when we went to visit in June after my fight. I had a plaque for her and I wanted her to know that I had fought for her. I will never forget the memory of sitting beside her at Dunn's waiting for our smoked meat sandwiches, seeing her reaction to photos of my bloody nose from the event and then seeing her read the plaque through tears welling up in her eyes. My eyes weren't dry either.

My Auntie Heather fought cancer, yes. But though she is no longer with us, she definitely did not lose that fight. We say defeat is not an option because it's the truth. My Auntie Heather and anyone that has had to fight, is fighting or will fight are the reason that we are still fighting. If anything, it makes us all fight that much harder.

Auntie Heather, your honesty, sarcastic humour and love for your family will be missed. I love you and I promise I won't stop fighting as long as you are in my corner.

Rest peacefully, Auntie Heather <3






Thursday 25 February 2016

A Letter to FTEC2016 TEAM and ALL FUTURE FIGHTERS

Dear Fighters,

It has been nine months since I stepped into the ring on the most terrifyingly, electric night of my life and not a day goes by that I don’t think about what I did.

Not only do I get to walk into work every day and see a large mural of myself with blood dripping down my face on the wall, but it doesn’t stop there. I have SO many beautiful memories. I have the memory of 10 scared and brave individuals, starting a journey and not knowing where exactly it would take us. These 10 individuals, plus numerous other people that helped us get to where we ended up have become a huge part of my life… an entirely new family. They helped me and continue to help me grow and teach me things, both physically and mentally. They pushed me to work harder every time I trained and I also had to find it within, to push myself to the limit for eight months. I was at Kingsway more in those eight long months than I was at home and I don’t regret a single second. You HAVE to put in the work. I say long because it does seem like a long time, but trust me when I say- IT GOES BY SO FAST.

My advice to you would be to please take it all in, get to the gym and train your butt off (you’ll be both sad and slightly relieved when you’re done and not training for anything later) and get on your social media and raise some MONEY! Set a goal for yourself, a goal that scares you and REACH IT. I promise you can do it. Send out a link of your fundraising page to every one you know and make the 'ask' personal. There is a much larger chance someone will donate to you if you’re asking them personally and directly. All anyone can say is no! Oh well, you tried! It’s definitely an intimidating task and even working in the nonprofit, fundraising world,  it scared me. But really, what do you have to lose? I posted so much about #FTEC on social media that I am sure I lost a few cyber friends or followers, but who needs them? I’d much rather raise money for cancer research, plus the outpouring of support (through donations and well wishes) I received from people I didn’t even know or who I hadn’t spoken to in years evoked an indescribable feeling. *Side note- if you ever need any tips and tricks on fundraising, don’t hesitate to ask!

Choosing to try out and being part of Fight to End Cancer was the best possible decision I have ever made. So many factors in my life led me to Kingsway and into that ring and because of Fight to End Cancer- my life has changed in the most wonderful ways. I am SO grateful for the opportunities it has opened up for me, the people I have met along the way and an added, personal bonus of forming the best relationships with one of my fellow fighters.

With the photoshoot coming up this weekend for this year’s team- I am so jealous and wish I could flash back to that day and every day after it but I can’t. I do however have the memories in my head, heart and of course lots of pictures. I also have the feeling that I did something and was part of something that was so much bigger than I could have ever imagined.

I am so proud to be part of the FTEC family and alumni. It seriously is such an honour and a privilege. Don’t take this lightly. This is one experience I PROMISE you will never forget. Give it your all! Remember who you're fighting for.

TRAIN. FIGHT. END.

Love Paige