Tuesday, March 28 2017
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble VII in Boston on May 18th. They’ve committed to four months of fundraising and training in preparation to get in the ring and literally fight for a cure. Whether their mom is battling, their father has passed or their friend has put up a victory against the disease – they’ve all got a story to tell and they’ve all got a reason to fight. Below you’ll hear from Adam Chicoine, fighting out of Sorabella Training Center in Waltham, MA.
Where are you from?
True New Englander for life. I grew up on the North Shore in Newburyport, MA and moved to Burlington, VT for college and then some. Currently, I find myself in Watertown, MA after bouncing around many of the local Boston neighborhoods for the past 8 years.
Where’d you go to college?
I went to the University of Vermont where I studied Microbiology, Chemistry, Psychology and Bowling.
Did you play any sports growing up?
Sports have been a huge part of my life. I grew up playing baseball, basketball, and soccer and as I got older I have really gotten into golf. Snowboarding tops the list though!
What do you do for work?
I work at Brigham & Women’s Hospital where I manage the Human Immunology Center which is a center designed to bring clinicians and researchers together across many fields in a collaborative effort to study the human immune systems responses in heath and disease.
Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting?
Realizing the metaphor of “fighting for a cure” is about as cool as it gets. I have always loved watching boxing on TV and appreciate the intricate technical aspects of the sport as well as the sheer entertainment value of a gladiator event of sorts.
I think I fantasized about one day being in some kind of head to head/test of wills/game of thrones bout but never thought an opportunity as legit as this would ever come along until I found Haymakers. And here we are…
Why on earth did you sign up to fight??
My friends and family would probably say I have a screw loose (and I probably do) but for me…
The most profound words of wisdom I have received from anyone who has fought a battle with cancer are to never take anything for granted and appreciate every moment, to try not to sweat the little things, and take advantage of opportunities while you have them and live life to the fullest. I take those words to heart and this opportunity to fight not only allows me to fundraise for a great cause I believe in but also for me to test myself both physically and mentally and to grow as a person, to stand up to my fears and win, lose or draw put my all into something with no regrets and own that with pride.
You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you?
My inspiration to participate in Haymakers began when I was introduced to cancer at a very young age. I lost my cousin Hannah to melanoma and my grandfather GranDon to pancreatic cancer within a couple of years of each other. Witnessing their battles and never wanting to see anyone else have to experience what they did launched my path and eventual career toward research for a cure. Today it all finally culminates with this fight.
Unfortunately, my childhood dream of finding a cure has yet to manifest itself and in the meantime I have witnessed many other close friends and family get the dreaded news.
Thankfully though, there have been many successful stories from my Aunt Karen who’s in full remission from breast cancer for 5 years, my father who caught melanoma at an early stage before it metastasized, and some of my best friends Kevin, Chuck and Mike D all go through their battles with various forms of cancer and come out in control or on top.
Currently, a dear friend of mine Chris continues to defy the odds battling stage IV lung cancer. His love and devotion for his wife and two girls gives him the inspiration he needs to fight day in and day out and he refuses to give up because it is simply not an option.
There is nothing that drives me more than to put myself in any one of these people’s shoes and to fight as they have with dignity and integrity.
My hope is that in a way, participating in Haymakers can provide some hope and inspiration to each of these people who mean so much to me in my life and to fight in honor of those that I’ve lost.
What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?)
The most difficult thing I will have to give up is the already small amount of free time I had to begin with. I know that this whole process is going to be truly rewarding and worthwhile in the end but having to opt out of some events with friends or family that I look forward to all year because they would jeopardize essential training time is tough to swallow.
In addition, I recently got engaged to my fiancé Aleka (only 2 weeks in to training) and it has been a challenge to find the quality time we deserve to celebrate it. She’s been incredibly supportive and understanding and when this is all over we’re going on a vacation!
When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have?
Most of my hobbies and interests are related to the sports I mentioned above but when I’m not playing or watching them I love to travel and be outdoors. Whether it’s a short trip to the ocean or a hike in the mountains up north I find a lot of benefits from getting out of the city hustle and enjoying some nature therapy. Oh, and bowling, love bowling.
Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night?
Hahaha! I have a lot of support in this fight but if I had to guess I could probably name a couple friends that would like to see me get smacked around a bit if for nothing else than to fulfill an opportunity they missed themselves.
Be sure to check out his fundraising page here and wish him luck on Instagram! Best of luck, Adam!