Meet Melanie ‘Mighty Mel’ Muto, giving hope to true fighters!
Fight To End Cancer #FTEC2023 Fighter, Melanie Muto [Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]
In the ring, Melanie Muto has no fear of taking a hit.
“When I get punched in training, I’m like, ‘Okay I missed that one,’ but I’m not saying, ‘Whoa, my god, I just got punched in the face!’” Melanie says, laughing.
“I don’t know if it’s all the fights over clothes that I had with my sisters growing up, but I’m like, ‘Whatever!’”
What does put a slight dent in her composure is the personal publicity required for the Fight To End Cancer fundraising campaign that she’s spent the last few months designing in her mind.
While the May 27 fight night is the big event, Melanie sees the overall FTEC experience as a creative project that she will execute with the same vision she brings to her full-time job in advertising, marketing and graphic design.
That campaign requires a steady flow of social media posts about her role as a fighter while also seeking donations for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation through tickets to the event and, the sale of merchandise like t-shirts and photographs, from her personal collection.
“It’s about overcoming these little fears,” she says, “like posting more about yourself, or not being shy on social media, because you are doing something for a great cause. I think that’s more of what I’m fearful of. Stepping into the ring? No.”
Melanie has been boxing for six years now, but the inspiration to fight for charity comes from the experience she is watching unfold, in real time.
Her best friend’s mother is in remission from cancer and Melanie is watching their journey together, with a new understanding of the disease and the sacrifice, the selflessness, of caregivers.
The idea of wanting to create positive change was already there but it crystallized when boxing coach Virgil Barrow approached Melanie, asking if she would be interested in the FTEC event.
“It’s interesting because I always wanted to do something like this, but I didn’t have the support, so this time I was like ‘Okay, let’s actually do this. Let’s do something new and challenging.’ And knowing the cause behind it, this was something I could do. There’s always something big that you try to do in your life, but it’s something for you or your benefit. And this is just something that was good in both ways. I’m doing something new that’s cool, but like I’m doing it for other people.”
As Melanie sees it, she’s taking inspiration from her friend’s sacrifice, her hardship, to step into the ring, “giving hope to the true fighters out there, and anyone in the ring with them.”
Melanie Training For Fight To End Cancer 2023. [Photo credit: Virgil Barrow]
That idea has now formed the foundation of her fundraising project, a concept she has no reservations about sharing online because it is aspirational.
“I want to design something that is not just about me,” she says. “I’ll put my journey out there but I told myself for every caption (on social media), I want to sign off with something that empowers somebody else. My sign off is, ‘Stay Mighty.’”
The FTEC2023 Fight Team stands united to Fight The Fight That Affects Us All! With the goal of reaching $3 million in 2023, 100% of all KO Cancer Bootcamp proceeds go to research at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION!
Public Relations Team, Fight To End Cancer
info@fighttoendcancer.com
Donations to our Fight Team can be made at: fighttoendcancer.com.
Photos available upon request.
Interview Opportunities:
Interview Opportunities are available in studio, on site, and via phone or email with:
- Jennifer Huggins (Executive Director and Founder, Fight To End Cancer)
- Virgil Barrow (Fight Team Head Coach, Kingsway Boxing Club)
- FTEC 2023 Fight Team members (contacts available upon request)
- Presenting Partners:
- Landscape Plus Ltd. (Since 2015)
- Grafton Apparel Ltd. (Since 2014)
MEET THE FTEC FIGHT TEAM
Help the #FTEC2023 Fight Team reach their goal of $3 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
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 $2,000,000 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
