Waltham Residents Join Charity Boxing Event For Dana-Farber

Waltham MA

11 November, 2021

11:28 AM

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WALTHAM, MA — Two Waltham residents will be participating in the annual "Haymakers for Hope Belles of the Brawl" charity boxing event to raise money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at the House of Blues Boston and feature 26 brave New England residents, including behavioral analyst Serena Cates and healthcare administrator Alisa Marino of Waltham. Haymakers for Hope is a nonprofit organization that gives residents an opportunity to "fight back against cancer." Registration is open to everyday professionals in the Greater Boston area who have never boxed and are willing to go through four months of intensive training at local partnering gyms. Cates said on her fundraising page that she is fighting for several close family friends who have died of cancer or are currently battling the disease. "Far too many people have been affected by cancer," she wrote. "My first experience with cancer occurred when a close family friend, one who inspired my love of theatre and inclusivity (and eventually my whole career), passed away when both I, and her amazing children, were just kids. Most recently, a dear friend of mine's mother took on the fight against cancer and I am happy to say that she is crushing it! But it's a fight she never should have needed to take on in the first place." "Unfortunately, these experiences are far too relatable," she continued. "I'm committed to doing my part to help conquer this disease, and signing up to (literally) Knock Out cancer is one step forward in a fight we're all taking on together." Marino is also fighting for family members who have died and those who are beating the odds, as well as the patients and families she works with at Boston Children's Hospital, according to her fundraising page. "I fight for those that can't or don't have a choice to," she said. "For anyone having to go through, or watch a family member get a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th opinion for a treatment plan." Since its inception ten years ago, Haymakers has raised over $14.5 million and trained 790 participants in four cities. For more information about the organization, click here.