THE GALA

When I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I was 20 years old. My world changed instantly — not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. I lost my strength, my sport (basketball), my rhythm. But what I gained was clarity. Clarity about what matters, about how short and sacred life can be, and about how important it is to support others going through their darkest days. During my treatment, I had support from my family, friends, and care team. But after? After the bell rang and I was declared in remission. That’s when I felt the silence. The world expects you to go back to “normal.” But what if your normal is gone? I beat cancer. But I quickly learned that survival isn't the finish line — it’s the starting gate for a different kind of fight. A quieter one. A more personal one. The one where you’re left to rebuild your body, your mindset, and your place in the world.

That feeling — of being on a new journey with no map is why I started The Fightstrong Foundation. I didn’t want anyone else to feel alone in that space. I wanted to turn my pain into purpose. Today, Fightstrong is more than a Foundation — it’s a family. A growing network of survivors, supporters, and builders who believe that the real fight begins after the bell rings.