FTEC2017 FEATURED FIGHTER | ALLISON DELLANDREA
Leading up to Fight Night we will be featuring one of the incredible men and women who have joined the Fight to End Cancer in support of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Meet our #FeaturedFighter, out of the Red Corner, Allison Dellandrea, sponsored by City Alliance Real Estate Services Ltd.
Meet the second half of our Co-Main Event, Allison ‘The Protector’ Dellandrea. Allison is a mother and has served as a Crown Attorney for 18 years. She spends her days not only fighting for children, but as the provincial expert, also teaching other law enforcement how to as well.
“My day job consists of fighting on behalf of the rights of the most vulnerable members of society; namely, children who have been sexually exploited….most commonly, by people who they trusted to protect them. This is not a pretty fight. Or an easy one. But it’s a very necessary one. The little people whose interests I strive to protect and defend are what inspire me to go to work every day. There is no greater reward than knowing I have helped, even in some small way, to keep a kid safe.”
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Allison and her three children.
“In 2004, when I was 6 months pregnant with my third child I was diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer. I had to have immediate surgery to take out a large tumour and several dozen infected lymph nodes.
After the birth of my son (who was perfectly healthy!) I proceeded to radiation treatment.
Since then, I have needed two additional surgeries to deal with recurrent disease in my lymph nodes: my last operation was in 2009. I continue to be closely monitored by my amazing doctors at PMH, but since then I have been cancer free.”
What advantages do you think you have over your opponent and how do you see your fight going?
“I believe that my advantage comes from having battled cancer myself, and learned first hand that defeat is really not an option.
The concept of not being defeated, to me, is about a mental state. A mental toughness. A resilience and an optimism that looks for hope in even the most dispiriting circumstances. I had to find out this the hard way and I know it will serve me well in the ring.
As for how I see the fight going? I predict it will be an epic battle between two warriors that will be well worth the ticket price.”
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Allison is focused on training hard in preparation for fight night on May 27
Photo Credit: Virgil Barrow
There were so many lovely and unexpected surprises to my experience of fundraising for FTEC. Among these, was receiving a $1000 donation, from a woman I had never even met. This angel donor, who is herself a cancer survivor, is a friend of one of my closest friends. She simply asked how she could donate, upon learning of my story and my fight. Just like that. I was so touched. I also received several donations from other people, who I may not have known very well, but who felt an immediate connection to the cause as a result of their own experiences with cancer. A few colleagues dropped by my office after donating with tears in their eyes, to share their stories of loss or ongoing struggle with cancer. They thanked me for fighting on behalf of everyone touched by the disease. To my surprise, fundraising for this event has resulted in me making deeper connections with these friends and colleagues. Their stories continue to motivate me to work hard both in NY training, and continued fundraising pursuits.
How much would you like to raise?
“I am currently sitting at about $22,000, with a month or so to go before the Fight. I don’t think $30,000 is outside the reach of my community, based on the incredible responses I continue to receive. Every donation is outstanding, whether it is $25 or $250…they all bring me, and my team, closer to our ambitious goal of raising $200,000 for The PMCF. I believe that together, we can do it.”
Allison’s original fundraising goal was $20,000, but after just a few months of fundraising she had already blown that number away. She has now upped the anti and it trying to raise $30,000 for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation! Make a donation towards Allison’s fight HERE.
Can’t make it to the gala? Join us at BRAZEN HEAD for our BRING THE BEATS LIVE-TO-AIR PARTY and catch all the fights live on May 27th.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Huggins
Executive Director
Phone: +1.416.666.9314
Email address: jennifer@fighttoendcancer.com
Important Dates:
–> Official Media Day: Thurs. May 18, 2017 6pm – 8pm | Lavelle Rooftop Lounge Request Media Access
–> 2017 Charity Boxing Gala: Sat. May 27, 2017 5pm – 11 pm | Old Mill Toronto Request Media Access
