Photo Description: The 2018 Fight To End Cancer come together to take a selfie at the end of the night after dedicating nearly a year to hit the milestone of donating over $1,000,000.00 in support of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. [Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]
The Picture Worth A Million Bucks
Fight To End Cancer Breaks $1,000,000 In Support Of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – TORONTO, ON – The 7th annual Fight To End Cancer Charity Gala (FTEC2018) presented by Landscape Plus Ltd. and Combustion Training, was a historic and emotional event. The sold out event, held on June 2, 2018, was co-hosted by Angie Seth, weekend anchor of Global News, and Kevin Newman, host of CTV’s W5, at the historic Old Mill Toronto. Bringing together some of the city’s top influencers, including Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders and Canadian Boxing Legend George Chuvalo, the Gala featured 10 brave men and women, with no prior boxing experience, stepping into the ring in support of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
The five sanctioned, Olympic-style boxing matches – 3 male bouts, 2 female bouts – were the perfect celebration for the months of commitment and hard work put in by our 2018 Fight Team. All ten of our fighters are true champions and have dedicated the last 6 months of their lives to training and fundraising. A special mention to FTEC2018 Main Event, Gavin Grant, who raised the highest in direct donations, totalling over $23,000. We also shout out to FTEC top tier partner, Tip Top Tailors, who’s 2018 nationwide campaign has reached over $100,000 and counting. They continue their fundraiser efforts throughout June as they will continue to accept donations in store for the month – for any donation of $20 or greater all will receive a commemorative tie bar. The fight team’s tireless efforts, coupled with the funds raised at the gala and by our incredible partners, we project over $350,000 will be donated to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in 2018.
The crowd was brought to its feet for an emotional standing ovation when Dr. Jonathan Irish, Chief Surgical Oncology at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, made the official announcement that the Fight to End Cancer surpassed the milestone of donating over $1,000,000 in total funds to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, before the excitement of the matches!
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FTEC Founder, Jennifer Huggins, alongside Director/Fight Team Head Coach, Virgil Barrow, are presented with a plaque from Dr. Jonathan Irish of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Saturday marked a milestone achievement of $1M donated to the foundation.
[Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]
With the financial investment made by Fight To End Cancer’s top tier partners, 100% of all event sales is donated to charity.
[Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]
Canadian Heavyweight Legend, George Chuvalo, puts his fists up at the red carpet with the 2018 Fight Team.
[Photo Credit: Spencer Wynn]
Dr. Jonathan Irish alongside the 2018 Fight To End Cancer Fight Team, point to the reason we’re all fighting so hard, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
[Photo Credit: Mashal Asif]
Tyler Smith (red) and Matt Seahra (blue), were the first bout of the evening. The heavyweight boxers left it all in the ring, giving the 600 guests in attendance and the thousands watching around the world a great show.
[Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]
Fight To End Cancer’s Executive Director & Founder, Jennifer Huggins, is beyond proud of the hard work and dedication shown by the Fight Team and all of the volunteers in making 2018’s event an unbelievable success. In her own words:
“The energy and emotion on Saturday night was indescribable. Each fighter, sponsor, the performers, everyone left their hearts in the ring. This year was truly incredible, built on the foundations that began in 2012.
The Fight To End Cancer Family means everything to me… Your efforts and dedication make it all possible to continue and exceed expectations. Thank you all for defining the Fight To End Cancer! We have all outdone ourselves this year, yet we feel nothing but inspired to do even more! We are an unstoppable team!
Together, we will knockout cancer in our lifetime – Defeat Is Not An Option!”
Now that we have reached our goal of $1,000,000 in total funds we are setting our sights on $2,000,000. You still have the opportunity to donate to our FTEC2018 Fight Team as we continue to collect donations until the end of June. Tip Top Tailors, who has already raised over $112,000 across Canada for the Fight to end Cancer, has expanded their fundraising efforts to be year round.
Next year’s event date is set for Saturday June 1, 2019, and there is already strong interest from corporate executives, the community, media and celebrities to participate in FTEC 2019! The Fight To End Cancer will be gearing up for even greater success next year!
Please be sure to give photo credit to our official Fight To End Cancer photographers listed in album folders.
Bout 1: Tyler Smith (red) vs. Matt Seahra (blue)
[Photo Credit: Spencer Wynn]
Bout 2: Christina Vatsis (red) vs Heather MacDonald (blue)
[Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]
Bout 3: Rob Paniccia (blue) vs. Sean Lawler (red)
[Photo Credit: Spencer Wynn]
Dr. Draw wowed the crowd with his inmeasurable energy on stage.
[Photo Credit: Spencer Wynn]
Beatboxer, Scott Jackson and Drummer, Jeff Cote, left it all in the ring as the feature performers with Dr. Draw. The team encapsulated the energy of the cause!
[Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]
Alison Turnbull stepped into the ring representing Eagle Professional Resources.
[Photo Credit: Laura Polischuik]
Dawn Millar took the win in the hard earned Co-Main event of the evening.
[Photo Credit: Laura Polischuik]
Gavin Grant waits before he enters the ring as the Main Event fighter. Gavin raised over $23,000 in direct donations to the foundation; this was largest amount raised by one single member on the 2018 fight team.
[Photo Credit: Mashal Asif]
Main Event: Gavin Grant (red) vs. Rick Dhillon (blue)
[Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]
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Gala photos available upon request and at fighttoendcancer.com
Interview Opportunities:
Interview Opportunities are available in studio, at the boxing gym location or, via Phone, Email, Twitter, Facebook, with:
FTEC 2018 Fight Team participants (contacts available upon request)
Jennifer Huggins (Executive Director & Founder, Fight To End Cancer)
Virgil Barrow (FTEC Fight Team Head Coach, Kingsway Boxing Club)
About The Fight To End Cancer
The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) is a year round initiative carried out by ambassadors, sponsors and volunteers worldwide. Over $1,000,000 has been donated to date since our inaugural year in 2012. Funds raised by FTEC are donated directly to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Each year we celebrate the incredible hard work and dedication of our FTEC family with a black-tie charity boxing gala. This gala showcases ten men and women who represent our Official Fight Team. Our goal is to raise funds for cancer research year-round with the support of the local community and business owners. Let’s make a difference now in the fight to end cancer for a long and successful future for everyone. This is an event like no other and has quickly become one of the most anticipated events in Toronto. www.fighttoendcancer.com
About The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation at University Health Network raises funds for breakthrough research, exemplary teaching and compassionate care at Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, which now includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Breast Cancer Research Institute. More information about the Foundation can be found at http://www.thepmcf.ca
