Skip to main content
Press ReleasesTop Stories

PRESS RELEASE: Breaking Records In The 6th Annual Fight To End Cancer! Donating over $700,000.00 To Date

By May 30, 2017January 6th, 2022No Comments

Photo By: Laura Polischuik | The FTEC2017 Fight Team posed for one final group shot before entering the ballroom, lacing up the gloves and making the Fight To End Cancer 2017 a knockout success.

Photo By Official Photographer: Laura Polischuik | The FTEC2017 Fight Team posed for one final group shot before entering the ballroom.  They laced up their gloves, stepped into the ring and made the Fight To End Cancer 2017 a knockout success.


Breaking Records In The 6th Annual Fight To End Cancer!  Donating over $700,000.00 To Date

Press Release Header


Wednesday May 31, 2017 – TORONTO, ON –  The 6th Annual Fight To End Cancer Charity Gala (FTEC) was our biggest and most successful year ever!  The sold out event was hosted by Angie Seth, the Weekend anchor of Global News, at the historic Old Mill Toronto.  The Gala brought together some of the city’s top executives and influencers, who cheered on our 2017 Fight Team.  The fighters consisted of a group of ten brave men and women, with no prior boxing experience, who stepped into the ring in support of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
(article continues below photos)

Photo By: Vincent Dayrit | The Old Mill Toronto is transformed into a Las Vegas Style extravaganza every year for the annual Fight To End Cancer black-tie gala.

Photo By Official Photographer: Vincent Dayrit | The Old Mill Toronto is transformed into a Las Vegas Style extravaganza every year for the annual Fight To End Cancer black-tie gala.

Photo By: Rebecca Freeman | 2017 Master Of Ceremonies, Angie Seth, brought a whole new level of energy to the ring, setting the stage for the five bouts to follow her event introduction.

Photo By Official Photographer: Rebecca Freeman | 2017 Master Of Ceremonies, Angie Seth, brought a whole new level of energy to the ring, setting the stage for the five bouts to follow her event introduction.

Photo By Official Photographer: Laura Polischuik | Ring Announcer, Barry Pletch, wowed the crowd with a few moves of his own and a very special ring entrance.

Photo By Official Photographer: Laura Polischuik | Ring Announcer, Barry Pletch, wowed the crowd with quite a few moves of his own and a very special ring entrance.

Five sanctioned, Olympic-style boxing matches (four male bouts, one female bout) were the perfect celebration for the commitment and hard work of our 2017 fighters.  All ten of our fighters are true champions, after several months of both training and fundraising!  An astounding $150,000.00 was raised within their personal networks.  Coupled with the night’s additional fundraising efforts at the Gala, we project over $230,000.00 will be donated from the event alone, directly to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in 2017!
(article continues below photo)
Photo By Official Photographer: Spencer Wynn | Sebastian Salole (blue) and Andrew (red), showcased olympic style boxing at its finest during the third bout of the night. All five bouts impressed the guests and officials and made Virgil Barrow (fight team head coach) extremely proud.

Photo By Official Photographer: Spencer Wynn | Sebastian Salole (blue) and Andrew Noel (red), showcased olympic style boxing at its finest during the third bout of the night.  All five bouts impressed the guests and officials and made Virgil Barrow, fight team head coach, extremely proud.

Photo By Official Photographer: Eric Tavares | Allison Dellandrea receives final instructions before she's escorted to the ring by an entourage of Toronto Police Officers. Allison broke records when it came to the incredible support and awareness she garnered throughout the year in preparation for FTEC2017.

Photo By Official Photographer: Eric Tavares | Allison Dellandrea receives final instructions before she’s escorted to the ring by an entourage of Toronto Police Officers.  Allison broke records when it came to the incredible support and awareness she garnered throughout the year in preparation for FTEC2017.

Photo By Official Photographer: Laura Polischuik | Randy Woods (blue) took home the belt in the main event bout with Mark Benoit (red), both fought their hearts out and raised a combined

Photo By Official Photographer: Laura Polischuik | Randy Woods (blue) took home the belt in the main event bout with Mark Benoit (red).  Both men were incredibly inspirational as they fought their hearts out and together raised over $40,000 by the end of the night.

Since its inception, The Fight To End Cancer has successfully managed to raise over $700,000.00, in direct donations to the foundation.  Fight To End Cancer is confident that it will reach its goal, raising $1,000,000 for the Princess Margaret by 2018, as a result of six years of fundraising.
(article continues below photo)
Photo By: Spencer Wynn | Our first bout featured William Iafano (red) vs. Brandon Glynn. After fighting 3 hard rounds Glynn captured the win, however both boxers leave the rings heroes in the Fight To End Cancer! This incredible moment encapsulates our motto "Defeat Is Not An Option".

Photo By Official Photographer: Spencer Wynn | Our first bout featured William Iafano (red) vs. Brandon Glynn (blue).  Glynn captured the win after fighting three hard rounds, however both boxers leave the ring heroes in the Fight To End Cancer!  This incredible moment encapsulates our motto “Defeat Is Not An Option”.

We welcomed Canadian Pop Sensation Karl Wolf, to the FTEC family this year.  Karl raised the the production to new heights and had everyone at the event on their feet!  His energy and passion was contagious!  He poured his heart into his performance and entertained people worldwide!

” Last Saturday I had the honour of performing live for Fight To End Cancer 2017, in front of 500 VIP guests, along with thousands live streamed around the world.  The energy at the event was off the hook and the cause was larger than life, raising about $200k by the time I got off stage!  So proud to be part of this incredible movement! “

~ Karl Wolf | Recording Artist

(article continues below photos)

Photo By Official Photographer: Rebecca Freeman | Karl Wolf's performance was broadcast live from FTEC2017 to the homes of hundreds and live viewing parties worldwide.

Photo By Official Photographer: Rebecca Freeman | Karl Wolf’s performance was broadcast live from FTEC2017 to the homes of hundreds and live viewing parties worldwide.

Photo By Official Photographer Laura Polischuik | Feature performer, Karl Wolf (right), poured his heart and soul into his performance along with FoXx Williams (left), bringing the crowd to their feet.

Photo By Official Photographer Laura Polischuik | Feature performer, Karl Wolf (right), poured his heart and soul into his performance as did FoXx Williams (left), bringing the crowd to their feet.

Fight To End Cancer’s Executive Director & Founder, Jennifer Huggins, is beyond proud of the hard work and dedication shown by both the Fight Team and Planning Committee, in making 2017’s event an unbelievable success.  In her own words:

” The energy on Saturday was surreal, every fighter, sponsor, even Karl Wolf left it all in the ring.  This year was the best year yet, and it was built on the shoulders of support that began in 2012.  The Fight To End Cancer Family is my EVERYTHING… Thank you all for devoting your heart and soul to FTEC2017!  We have all outdone ourselves this year, yet we feel nothing but inspired to do even more.  We are unstoppable!  Together, we will knockout cancer in our lifetime – Defeat Is Not An Option! “

(article continues below photos)

Photo By Official Photographer: Rebecca Freeman | Fight To End Cancer Founder, Jennifer Huggins (left) and Fight Team Head Coach, Virgil Barrow (right) presented Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation CEO, Paul Alofs as an honorary fighter FTEC Fighter. This will be his last year as CEO of the foundation as he's set to retire next year. His accomplishments at the foundation are legendary and are felt by the world.

Photo By Official Photographer: Rebecca Freeman | Fight To End Cancer Founder, Jennifer Huggins (left) and Fight Team Head Coach, Virgil Barrow (right) presented Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation CEO, Paul Alofs as an honorary fighter FTEC Fighter.  This will be his last year as CEO of the foundation as he’s set to retire next year.  His accomplishments at the foundation are legendary and are felt by the world.

Photo By Official Photographer: Rebecca Freeman | Raffi Jewellers jumped on board for their first year as 2017 Live Auction Presenting Partners. Their donation of the much anticipated Hublot Fusion watch stirred up incredible excitement with the guests as they worked up the bidding all the way to $14,500. The funds raised at the event are 100% donated to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Photo By Official Photographer: Rebecca Freeman | Raffi Jewellers jumped on board for their first year as 2017 Live Auction Presenting Partners.  Their donation of the much anticipated Hublot Fusion watch stirred up incredible excitement with the guests as they worked up the bidding all the way to $14,500.  The funds raised at the event are 100% donated to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Photo By Official Photographer: Vincent Dayrit | Toronto Police Chief, Mark Saunders, shares a few words about what the Fight To End Cancer means to him personally.

Photo By Official Photographer: Vincent Dayrit | Toronto Police Chief, Mark Saunders, shares a few words about what the Fight To End Cancer means to him personally.

We have raised our official 2017 goal to $250,000, so the opportunity to donate to our FTEC2017 Fight Team has not passed yet!  Tip Top Tailors, who has already raised over $20,000 across Canada for the Fight To End Cancer, will be continuing their fundraising efforts until June 30.  There is still time for you to make a last-minute donation to your favourite fighter, as we will be collecting donations for the 2017 event up until the end of June.
(article continues below photo)
Photo By Official Photographer: Eric Tavares | This years presenting partners, Jim Mosher of Landscape Plus Ltd. and Leslie Ehm of Combustion posed on the red carpet with the fight team.

Photo By Official Photographer: Eric Tavares | This years presenting partners, Jim Mosher of Landscape Plus Ltd. and Leslie Ehm of Combustion, posed on the red carpet with the fight team.

Next year’s event date is set for Saturday June 2, 2018, and there is already strong interest from corporate executives, the community, media and celebrities to participate in FTEC 2018!  It appears as though Fight To End Cancer will be gearing up for even greater success next year!
No one is alone in the battle against cancer and we want to spread this message worldwide.  We can all take part in the Fight To End Cancer!
JOIN THE FIGHT:
Become A Charity Fighter
Become A Sponsor
Become An Ambassador
Gala photos available upon request and at fighttoendcancer.com

View 2017 Gala Highlights


Press Release Header
Interview Opportunities:
Interview Opportunities are available in studio, at the boxing gym location or, via Phone, Email, Twitter, Facebook, with:
FTEC 2017 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)
Paul Alofs (President | CEO, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation)
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 $600,000 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