Paige LeClairThree current and former military members will be putting on gloves and entering the ring at the annual Fight for the Cure gala presented by Heart and Crown in October.
Kyle Dowd, one of the competitors on the card, is a former CAF member who is now a Branch Manager at BMO.
Approached once before to participate, Dowd was not sure it was the right venture for him. However, after losing his father-in-law to lung cancer in 2018, he jumped at the chance to participate this year.
“It’s something that affects everyone somewhere in their lives, and this is just a small way to try to give back,” said Dowd. “All of us are participating for the first time, and next year it will be a whole new round of fighters. Who knows, maybe they’ll invite one or two of us back in ten years for an alumni fight.”
His personal goal is to raise $15,000 for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. All other proceeds from the gala will also be forwarded to the foundation.
“We are hoping to raise over $400,000 this year, which will smash our previous record of $265,000,” said Scott Whitteker, Fight for the Cure event director and boxing coach.
Fight for the Cure is Ottawa’s only white-collar boxing gala, where competitors trade in their suit and tie for gloves, trunks, and headgear.
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau competed and won his match in 2014.
Although Dowd has no previous experience in boxing, he, as well as, the other participants have been training with each other since the beginning of January.
“We’re all training under the same coach, so it creates an even experience for the crowd, one of the key elements of the event is that it is amateur boxing, so no one has any background.”
Pierre Begin, CAF Veteran, and CEO of Dollarwise Inc., and Afton Maisonneuve, a Reservist with the Cameron Highlanders and Associate, Kelly Santini LLP will also be on the card in October.
Strangers to each other in the beginning, they have all come together with their military connections. There are 12 people participating in the event which will be held at Hilton, Lac Leamy, Gatineau, Que, on Oct. 19, 2019.
“It spoke volumes to how effectively we are seeing the CAF integrated into not only the business community but into such great charitable activities,” said Dowd. “It’s a very strong reminder that the CAF imbues members with great values and dedication to their communities and to success.”
Table tickets are on sale now. After they are purchased, they will be delivered two weeks prior to the event.
If you are unable to attend but would like to donate in support of Dowd can visit: donate.ottawacancer.ca/goto/kyledowd or drop by the BMO Branch in Stittsville to donate in Cash or Cheque.
Visit the Fight for the Cure website for more information.
