A supporter and his fighter share their respective fights

Not Every Fight Ends at the Bell

This episode of Not Every Fight Ends at the Bell features Jeff and Katie Scola sharing their inspiring story. In 2016, at age 27, Katie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Just over a year later, while in remission, she ran the Boston Marathon. Then a month after that, Jeff fought in a Haymakers for Hope charity boxing event to raise money for the Ellie Fund, which had supported them during Katie's treatment.

Despite the difficulties of Katie's cancer journey, the couple maintained remarkable perseverance and positivity. Their story highlights the power of strength, love, and fighting spirit in the face of adversity. They have since welcomed a daughter into their family.

Quotes:

(00:00:27) Katie: "I just remember being so proud of Jeff, so, so grateful. Like who does that? Like, you know, your girlfriend goes through cancer treatment and you sign up for a boxing tournament to potentially get the shit kicked out of you in front of a lot of people."

(00:07:41) Katie on her diagnosis: "It's like the before and the after. It's like the before where there's, you're young, you're 27 living with not a care in the world. And, you know, in a moment's notice, you're like, oh my gosh, I'm spending an hour on a call with a nurse advocate learning all these things about breast cancer that I just never, ever thought I would be hearing."

(00:11:16) Jeff on learning of Katie's diagnosis: "Yeah, it was just kind of crazy. I mean, I was, I was actually on the phone with Tom (his boss) outside. I was coming back from a meeting on the North shore. And just to give you the kind of juxtaposition of like how quickly your life changes at an instant."

(00:19:31) Jeff on seeing Katie finish the Boston Marathon: "I just lost it. And it was just like, you know, I don't think you forget that feeling and how proud I was and how fortunate I felt not just have her in my life, but that she could be there and do that."

(00:37:54) Jeff's advice for prospective fighters: "Just enjoy every moment because it will go quickly and then you'll look back and say, man, I, you know, once the scars heal, so to speak, but you're like, I would do that again."

Resource Links:

Read how Katie and Jeff took back the date

Donate to Jeff Scola's Page

Donate to Haymakers for Hope

Follow Haymakers on Instagram

Haymakers for Hope is an official 501(c)(3) charity organization that gives you the opportunity to fight back against cancer. They also have charity bibs for races all across the country and host charity golf tournaments.

Not Every Fight Ends at the Bell is presented and produced by Haymakers for Hope. Our producers are former fighters Jordan McMillan and Julian A Lewis II.