Why I Choose Health: Fighting for a Cure

At PHM, our roles and reasons for being here are many. However, we are all connected by one thing—we’ve all chosen health.

Leyna Bradley, Project Manager, Programming & Events, is choosing health not just in the workplace, but in her personal life, by supporting Haymakers for Hope, a charity boxing program dedicated to raising money for cancer research. As part of her commitment, Leyna will compete in a boxing match this upcoming April, putting the “fight” in fighting cancer.

Here’s more from Leyna on why she decided to make this commitment and what being part of this community means to her.

I started boxing at Boxing on Broad a little over a year ago, as a way to stay in shape and get involved in my local community. I became friends with the other boxers and coaches at the gym, including my friend, Enzo who has been involved with Haymakers for Hope for a few years now. Haymakers for Hope is a foundation focused on raising funds for cancer-fighting organizations through charity boxing matches.  When I found out he would be coaching boxers to compete again this year—this time, for the Liberty Bell Brawl—I began considering getting into the ring.

The message of fighting cancer rang true for me­. I lost my grandma to cancer in March of 2023 and have another close friend currently going through treatment. Being able to challenge myself while also raising money for a cause that is so close to my heart felt like the perfect combination. I was also inspired by the stories of previous fighters who were cancer survivors themselves. With Enzo’s support, I decided to take the leap.

I wasn’t new to boxing, but my training certainly turned up a few notches to prepare for the fight. We currently train 5 days a week, with 1-2 days focused exclusively on sparring in the ring. It’s definitely a rollercoaster of emotions—some days, I leave the gym feeling on top of the world, and others I feel like I fell short. Ultimately, I do feel myself becoming physically stronger each day and more mentally equipped to push through.

The community that has been cultivated because of this cause has been nothing short of amazing. I was surprised by how many other people had the same eagerness to sign up for the experience. In addition to the five fighters I train with, we also have the support of previous fighters and others who train at the gym. On the weeks that the training schedule feels too grueling or difficult, I know I can rely on my teammates to cheer me on and give me the confidence boost I need. We talk every day and even have matching boxing glove keychains to commemorate this commitment. I truly believe I wouldn’t be able to get through the four months of hard training without them in my corner! 

I chose health to further awareness on the impact cancer has on people in their everyday lives. I believe it’s important to find niche areas like athletics to further healthcare conversations. Haymakers for Hope’s dedication to a physical fight not only brings another level of attention to the disease but also inspires people who have suffered from it to push forward. This experience so far has definitely been a challenge, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come and am honored to join this community of people fighting for a good cause. No matter what happens in the ring, I know we’re making a difference.

Connect with Leyna on LinkedIn.

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