Haymakers for Hope is a not for profit organization that began in the fall of 2009, when co-founders Julie Anne Kelly andAndrew Myerson embarked on the grueling training process to compete in the New York City Golden Gloves. Julie was the defending champion in the women’s 132 pound division and was looking to defend her title, while Andrew was competing to try and win his first. Julie and Andrew decided that the grueling physical, mental, and emotional test of competing against the country’s best amateur boxers was not enough- they also wanted to raise money for cancer research, making the tournament an opportunity to literally fight for a cure!

Both originally hailed from the Boston area and decided to approach Dana Farber and the Jimmy Fund with idea of creating and sponsoring a donations web site with all proceeds going to the hospital. Officials at Dana Farber and The Jimmy Fund were extremely excited about the idea, and accepted Julie and Andrew’s proposal. By the end of the tournament Julie had successfully defended her crown and the pair raised around five thousand dollars for cancer research!

Cancer is not an anonymous, vague disease to either Julie or Andrew. Julie was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma shortly after college; this year, Julie celebrates her ninth cancer-free year. By the time Andrew was in college, he’d already lost one high school friend to the disease.

In 2011, Haymakers for Hope took its next big step, with a competitive boxing event wrapped into a gala at the Castle at The Park Plaza Hotel in Boston. Attendance crossed the 1,100 mark, people came to watch the boxing and participate in the auction and $200,000 was raised for Dana Farber and The Jimmy Fund. In the years to come, Haymakers for Hope will continue to sponsor anchor events like that, and smaller ones too, all to help the cause of cancer research.

To catch up on John's progress check out his training album on Facebook!

For more information please contact us at info@haymakersforhope.org