During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble X in Boston on May 14th. 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 Casey McQuillan, fighting out of Church Street Boxing Gym.
Where are you from?
Westwood, MA
Where’d you go to college?
Amherst College
Did you play any sports growing up?
I played everything I could. Growing up there was always a game being played somewhere in the neighborhood and I loved that, whether it was pick-up basketball, wiffle ball, or two-hand touch football in the street. When I got to high school, I played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.
What do you do for work?
I do macroeconomic forecasting for the Federal Reserve Bank of NY. Essentially, this is a two-year research position for people who are looking to apply to doctoral programs in economics. I actually recently finished my grad school applications and should know where I will be going by fight night.
Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting?
This is one of those things that I never planned to do, but it made perfect sense when the opportunity came about. I am not the kind of person who goes out looking for a fight, but sometimes the fight picks you.
Why on earth did you sign up to fight??
I want to show how strong and resilient survivors are. I want to give back to the medical team that got me through my fight.
You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you?
As a cancer survivor, I am drawing my inspiration from fellow patients I've met as well as the amazing medical team who got me through my treatment. In my life after cancer, people have assumed I am particularly fragile or I need to be especially careful, and I want to show how strong and resilient survivors are. In my fight with cancer, there are so many amazing nurses and doctors who went above and beyond for me, and I want to give back to them. It is really special to be raising money for the same hospital where I received my treatment less than five years ago.
What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?)
I've had to give up a lot of free time, which would probably go towards either sleep or watching TV. It can be tough to be out the door while it's dark out for the first workout and get home late after the second workout. That being said, it has made me a lot more disciplined about my schedule and diet.
When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have?
If I wasn't busy with the heavy bag, then you would find me at the local CrossFit gym (CrossFit South Brooklyn!) to get my workout in. And when I get too tired for any of that, then I will probably be live texting The Bachelor with some of my friends who also watch. When I can find someone to play Spikeball with me though, that becomes the top priority.
Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night?
I think it's going to be hard for anyone to root against a cancer patient in a cancer fundraiser. That being said, there is a nurse who put in a catheter who did not love my choice of words in the moment. In my defense, it was nothing personal.
Check out his fundraising page and be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Casey!