It’s true, Fight for the Cure is hanging up its gloves, but not without one final knockout in its fight against cancer.

Last night, the dozen men and women who will be entering the ring for the main event this Saturday, October 18 were introduced to a large and lively crowd at the Heart & Crown in the ByWard Market.

The chain of Irish pubs is not only the longtime presenting sponsor of Fight for the Cure (FFTC) — its CEO, Shauna Bradley, is also one of this year’s white-collar boxers.

“I’ve been talking about doing this for years, saying that I’m going to do this one day. I guess the challenge was finding an opponent,” said Bradley, who finally found her physical match when commercial realtor Jen Arbuckle volunteered to participate.

Bradley, who lost her businessman father, Larry Bradley, to cancer last year, is one of four fighters with a $100,000 fundraising goal for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. The others are setting their sights high, as well.

Funds raised help the organization provide free programs and services to cancer patients and their families, bridging the gap between the healthcare system and needed community support. The event’s overall goal is to raise $1 million.

The launch party, emceed by FFTC alum Walter Robinson, featured brief remarks from FFTC CEO Scott Whittaker, who spoke about what an honour it’s been to be part of a fundraiser that sells out every year — in both attendance and sponsorship — and to work with first-time boxers as they push themselves through one of the toughest sports in the world.

Since its humble beginnings in 2008, FFTC has raised millions for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation and seen more than 100 alumni step into the ring. Its most high-profile bout featured a future prime minister — Justin Trudeau — defeating Sen. Patrick Brazeau.

On the Fight for the Cure’s Blue Team, from left: Paul Lewandowski, Ashley Struthers, Jennifer Arbuckle, Todd Lavictoire, Wesley Stinson and (front) Andrew Lemoine. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Fight for the Cure CEO Scott Whitteker with CTV news anchor and FFTC alum Stefan Keyes at the launch party held at the Heart & Crown in the ByWard Market. Photo by Caroline Phillips

On the Fight for the Cure’s Red Team, from left: Rose-Anne Joly, Pat Turcotte, Shauna Bradley, Michael Rizk, John Fenech and George Hanna. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Robinson described the experience of participating in FFTC as “the most exhilarating 10 minutes of one’s life — barring a marriage or birth of a child.” The event attracts a large crowd and feels electric, with music thumping, lights blazing and adrenaline running high.

He called each boxing pair to the stage to strike the customary fight stance and to share their reasons for stepping into the ring. Many spoke about loved ones — close friends and family — who have been affected by cancer. One of Todd Lavictoire’s sons has been living for 15 years with brain cancer. Now 22, the young man continues to respond well to his controlled clinical trial. “I’m just here to give back because we were supported so well when we were going through our hard times,” said Lavictoire, a director at Grow Your Center.

Lavictoire is fighting George Hanna, president of Gabriel Pizza. Hanna previously ruled out FFTC, but changed his mind this year after a visit to the hospital, where his 52-year-old buddy is battling brain cancer. “I came home and said to my wife, ‘This is the year I’m actually going to do it — I’m actually going to do something. I’m going to fight for him and fight for [the cause]’.”

There was no arm-twisting to get criminal defence lawyer Paul Lewandowski involved. He learned about the fundraiser through commercial realtor Matt Jacques, a former FFTC fighter and long-time volunteer with The Ottawa Cancer Foundation.

Lewandowski, who’s going up against John Fenech, clinical director at the Barrhaven Health HUB, promised a good fight. “The Lewandowskis are scrappy; we don’t give up,” said the lawyer. Professionally, Lewandowski is used to fighting for the underdog. “I’m going to get into the ring and give it everything I can.”

Particularly fiery was Andrew Lemoine, founder and CEO of Autocorp.AI. He pointed to where his father-in-law, Steve Firth, stood in the crowd and shared how he’s been doing everything he can to fight his stage-four prostate cancer, from daily exercise to strict diet changes to cold water therapy. He’s been living with his disease for five years. It’s caused him to lose an eye.

“Three years ago, he was told he has one year to live.”

If anyone’s a warrior, it’s him, said Lemoine. “So, that’s why I’m doing it.”

Lemoine, who’s matched up against Michael Rizk, had the crowd laughing as he recounted how he began researching — or, as he put it, online “creeping” — his rival. “You start to obsess over your opponent and the fight,” he added. Rizk works in business development at Langmat & Associates and is a former constable with Ottawa Police Service.

Lemoine was shocked to discover that his opponent used to be a cop. “You forgot to mention that, Scott [Whitteker],” he quipped.

Lemoine said he’s more focused now on reaching his fundraising goal. “The fight’s exciting but what really matters to me is raising $100,000,” he said. “It’s becoming less and less about the opponent — though, yes, I do plan to beat him.”

The light-natured trash talk wasn’t lost on Rizk, who jokingly fired back: “I’m drinking water tonight — that’s how serious I’m taking this.”

Fight for the Cure participant Andrew Lemoine at the launch party held at the Heart & Crown to announce this year’s lineup. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Fight for the Cure CEO Scott Whitteker, The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s president and CEO, Deborah Lehmann, and cancer survivor Jay Abramovitch at the launch party for this year’s Fight for the Cure event, happening Saturday, October 18. Photo by Caroline Phillips

2025 Fight for the Cure white-collar boxer Ashley Struthers at the launch party held at the Heart & Crown in the ByWard Market. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Fight for the Cure alum and volunteer and commercial realtor Matt Jacques, left, helped to recruit white-collar boxer and criminal defence lawyer Paul Lewandowski, who was joined at the launch party by his wife, Iyami. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Michael Rizk is one of the white-collar boxers participating in Fight for the Cure. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Shauna Bradley, CEO of presenting sponsor Heart & Crown Irish Pubs, will be stepping into the ring to fight Jen Arbuckle, broker of record at Metcalfe Realty, at this year’s Fight for the Cure fundraiser for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

White-collar boxer Patrick Turcotte, left, with his colleague and Fight for the Cure alum Mike Simmons, vice president and area manager for Inflector Environmental Services, at the launch party held at the Heart & Crown in the ByWard Market. Photo by Caroline Phillips

FFTC alumnus Walter Robinson emceed the launch party to introduce this year’s white-collar boxers, held at the Heart & Crown in the ByWard Market. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Fight for the Cure alumni Joey Pamic (Power-Tek Group), Chris Ouimet, portfolio manager at RBC Dominion Securities, Kyle Turk, CEO at Meerkat Marketing, and volunteer Blue Team corner coach Adam Kane, director of sales and marketing for Gifford Carr Insurance Group. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ashley Struthers, owner of The Third in Hintonburg, will be going up against Rose-Anne Joly, head coach of women’s basketball and program manager at the University of Ottawa. Meanwhile, Wesley Stinson of Royal LePage Commercial Real Estate is set to face Pat Turcotte of Inflector Environmental Services.

All the fighters are training regularly for their bouts, slated to take place at The Westin hotel. They won’t fight their actual opponents until the big night.

Arbuckle acknowledged she’s feeling “petrified,” but remains grateful for the feedback and coaching tips she’s receiving from former FFTC boxers who work in the commercial real estate sector. One of her colleagues, Michael Shore, is a past participant.

“I take my health for granted, and I see so many people around me fighting for their lives against cancer,” said Arbuckle, who named several people close to her. “I wanted to take the opportunity to challenge myself — to take my fitness seriously.”

The room also heard from colon cancer survivor Jay Abramovitch, who spoke about the mental, emotional, physical, psychological, and financial toll cancer takes — not just on the individual, but on the entire family. That he’s been able to return to his passion for long-distance running — despite all the physical pain and suffering — is something he now deeply cherishes.

“I still get to run,” said Abramovitch, 40. “I get to be a husband, a father, a brother, a son. I get to stand up here and share my story with all of you.

“Most importantly, I get to do this for all my friends who are not here anymore — who no longer have a voice.”

As for whether there could be a future for FFTC, Matt Jacques had this to say: “Scott created such a legacy with FFTC. It has become a significant event in Ottawa. I would love to see it continue in some way, shape or form, with Scott’s blessing, of course.”

Sponsors include the Hughes Family Foundation, MPN Capital Markets, Ideal Roofing, Inflector Environmental Services, The Graham Family Foundation, and Heart & Crown Pubs.

For more details on Fight for the Cure or how to donate to the fundraising champions.

 

Jen Arbuckle, broker of record at Metcalfe Realty for the Cure, is training and fundraising for the white-collar boxing event that she’ll be participating in at The Westin hotel on Oct. 18 in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Rose-Anne Joly, head coach of women’s basketball and program manager at the University of Ottawa, is one of the white-collar boxers participating in Fight for the Cure. photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Pat Turcotte (Inflector Environmental Services) and Wesley Stinson (Royal LePage Commercial Real Estate) will be fighting one another at the Fight for the Cure fundraiser for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation on Oct. 18. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Steve McBurney, managing director at Robert Half Talent Solutions, trained and fought in Fight for the Cure in 2017 in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation while his wife, fundraising consultant Melanie Adams, was fighting advanced stage three melanoma. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Former white-collar boxers from Fight for the Cure gathered for a group photo during a launch party held Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Heart & Crown Irish Pub in the ByWard Market to announce this year’s lineup up fighters. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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