Photo Credit: Spencer Wynn
McLauzon Stars in A ‘Kiss to End Cancer’ | Featuring Craig and Erica
Article by: Christopher Small
No, this isn’t the latest superhero blockbuster soon to hit a theatre near you. It is a story about some real-life superheroes that have gone above and beyond to fight the evil villain plaguing us all; cancer.
Six years ago, Erica McMaster was tending bar when in walked Craig Lauzon. Our handsome and funny leading man was starring on a critically acclaimed TV show and was just looking for dinner, and maybe, a friendly face. Little did our two heroes know, that meeting would be the first step in the creation of McLauzon; a cancer fighting dynamic duo. Craig, being a man of action, wasted no time and several months later he actually asked Erica for a date. The two have been inseparable since then. Their fourth date found Erica flying to Edmonton to see Craig in a play. Just to be clear, Erica took a plane; although Erica does possess many super powers, flying isn’t one of them!
McLauzon landed its first blow against our villain in 2015, when Erica stepped into the ring as a member of the FTEC Fight Team, raising funds and awareness for the Fight to End Cancer. The very next year Craig followed her lead and became a member of the FTEC 2016 Fight Team.
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Photo Credit: Nicholas Theodorou
Craig Lauzon stepped into the ring as a Fight To End Cancer fighter, just one year after Erica, in 2016.
Our heroes haven’t stopped there! They have both continued to remain involved as FTEC alumni, helping indoctrinate new fighters and providing support behind the scenes. McLauzon landed another blow in the Fight to End Cancer in 2018. On the occasion of their wedding, and with a little help from their friends, they raised more funds for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. At their reception, if guests wanted the newlyweds to kiss, they needed to make a deposit into the donation jar. The bigger the donation the more amorous the kiss. There was a $50 bill in the jar so you can imagine what response that generated.
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Erica McMaster kisses her now husband Craig Lauzon, who fought in Fight To End Cancer 2016.
Now that these incredible people have officially joined forces, we can only imagine what they will do next in this fight that affects us all. You can do your part in this fight against our common villain by supporting this year’s Fight Team.
Let’s Take A Moment To Meet 2019’s Incredible Heroes…
Scroll Down To Meet The 2019 Fight Team
Help the #FTEC2019 Fight Team reach their goal of $2 million dollars before Fight Night! Use the link below to get to know the individual team members better and support them in their Fight To End Cancer! Defeat Is NOT An Option
Sponsor A Fighter Tickets & Event Info
Paul Agapito | View Full Bio
As a marketing professional, Paul Agapito has an incredible ability to highlight the positive attributes for a wide range of products and services. But there is nothing positive about cancer, so he has decided to let his fists and his heart take the lead as a member of the FTEC2019 fight team. This “spin doctor” will be raising funds to support the doctors and researches working hard to end cancer in our lifetime.
Deren Hasip | View Full Bio
Deren Hasip is all too familiar with the impacts cancer has on a family having watched his daughter and father take on their own fights. At work Deren coaches others to help them achieve their goals. As a member of the FTEC2019 fight team, the coach will become the student as he and his teammates submit themselves to 6 months of intense training. Keep those hands up!
Ceilagh MacDonald | View Full Bio
Ceilagh MacDonald works with clients every day who are struggling to come back from injury. She sees first hand how hard they try, the good days and the not so good days. She has seen this same fight in family and friends who have faced a cancer diagnosis. Not one to step back from a challenge, FTEC2019 provides Ceilagh with the opportunity to punch cancer in the face and show what she’s made of.
Talia | View Full Bio
As an Immigration & refugee lawyer, Talia is used to taking on tough challenges, but as an FTEC2019 fighter she’s taking on the biggest one yet. Not one to take her health for granted, Talia is stepping into the ring to use her good fortune to help raise funds to support the vital research of the doctors, chemists, and volunteers of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Josh Hillinger | View Full Bio
Josh Hillinger is the most recent member of fighters coming from Steam Whistle Brewing. Like all of us, he has been directly touched by cancer, seeing his grandmother, father and father-in-law fight for their lives. Not one to stand on the sidelines, Josh has joined the Fight to End Cancer as a member of the FTEC2019 fight team and promises to “provide the best guest experience” to his opponent.
George Boutsalis | View Full Bio
As a perennial fundraiser George Boiutsalis has focused his efforts on raising funds for cancer and Alzheimer’s research, both of which have affected his family. As a professional, George spends his days generating new opportunities and expanding his markets, but keeps his feet firmly entrenched his community. As a member of the FTEC2019 fight team, his community has grown leaps and bounds with one common goal; ending cancer in our lifetime.
Renata Reynolds | View Full Bio
Renata Reynolds is committed to the success of her clients, helping them build winning sales teams and strategies that result in real success. She is also committed to taking a punch in the face to move one step closer to finding a cure for cancer. Good news Renata, your opponent is committed to helping you with that challenge.
Lisa Ventura | View Full Bio
As a CEO, Lisa Ventura is responsible for all aspects of her company; definitely a person comfortable being in charge, getting things done and making stuff happen. Lisa is not comfortable feeling helpless, like she has when friends and loved ones have been diagnosed with cancer. True to form, she has decided to do something about it by becoming a member of the FTEC 2019 fight team, raising funds and awareness on behalf of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Fedele Rossi | View Full Bio
When Fedele Rossi’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago, he and his family went into a state of shock. Escorting his mother to all of her treatments exposed Fedele to the roller coaster of emotions experienced not only by his family, but by many others. He used his anger and frustration as a motivator to first get in great physical condition and now to become a member of the FTEC2019 fight team. He knows, as we all do, that Defeat is not an Option.
Richard Denley | View Full Bio
Through his business, Richard Denley spends his days motivating individuals to become better leaders. As an FTEC2019 fighter he will put those motivation skills to good use raising funds and awareness for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. His motivation for becoming an FTEC2019 fighter…ending cancer in our lifetime.
Important Dates:
–> Official Media Day: Thurs. May 23, 2019 6pm – 8pm | Request Media Access
–> 2019 Charity Boxing Gala: Sat. June 1, 2019 5pm – 11 pm | Old Mill Toronto Request Media Access
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 www.thepmcf.ca
