Giuiletta Hadley, Passes

Giuiletta Hadley,  wife of WBC Supervisor, Frank Hadley, died yesterday.  Giuiletta remained a champion, during a long and debilitating illness. Frank was in her corner when she passed away.  She died without surrender.

Thalidomide victims launch new charity

By Chris Johnson
Thalidomide victim Gary Skyner has launched a new charity aimed at assisting people who have lost limbs either through congenital deformity or trauma.

“CLIMBS” has been started with the support from Ricky Tomlinson, best known for his starring role on the BBC sitcom “The Royle Family”; TV medium Derek Acorah, snooker legend Dennis Taylor and boxer John H Stracey.

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Warren Bradley presented a donation to CLIMBS – Congenital Limbless and Impaired Mobility Benevolent Society – in the shape of fifty replica Penny Lane Street Signs and fifty Strawberry Fields Signs.

The significance in this figure is that 2009 is the fiftieth anniversary of the first victim to be born affected by the Thalidomide drug.

It is hoped that Sir Paul McCartney and hopefully Ringo Starr, the two remaining Beatles, will autograph the signs to raise thousands of pounds which is urgently needed due to the fact that the Government has never paid compensation the remaining 457 UK victims of thalidomide.

At the event Ricky Tomlinson, appealed directly to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown
MP and the newly appointed Minister for Health, Andy Burnham MP to apologise in writing to every Thalidomide Victim and their families and to recognise the need for meaningful compensation.

Also present at the launch at Liverpool Town Hall were thalidomide victims Freddie Astbury and Kevin Donellan.

Ricky said: “I am humbled to at the courage of Gary, Freddie and Kevin at the ordeal they have gone through.

“It’s a disgrace that they should have to rely on charity for financial support. The government should step up to the plate and accept their responsibility for the thalidomide disaster.”

Added Gary: “To date the UK Government have not done a single thing to relieve the undoubted suffering of those born without limbs as a direct result of the drug that the UK Government licensed and recommended to GPs to prescribe to the unsuspecting public.

“CLIMBS aims to provide assistance in establishing or enhancing personal independence for people residing in the United Kingdom who have congenital absence or impairment of one or more limbs or who have suffered the loss of one or more limbs as a result of traumatic injuries. It will also work to raise awareness of these conditions.”

Warren Bradley said he was contacting Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to ask them to sign the street signs in order to raise funds for CLIMBS.

The objectives of CLIMBS are:-

1. Providing advice to the Beneficiaries, including advice on how to obtain information
relevant to their needs.

2. Providing monetary grants to the Beneficiaries (including assistance with travelling
expenses in cases of need e.g. hospital visits, important social or community events.

3. Providing equipment to the Beneficiaries (e.g. mobility and care aids, adaptive and
assistive equipment and technology).

4. Assisting Beneficiaries to set up or develop a business or to gain remunerative
employment, in order to facilitate economic independence.

5. Promoting and raising the awareness of the problems associated with the absence
of impairment of limbs using whatever means are appropriate.

6. Providing advice and support to those people who are assisting the Beneficiaries in
any area of their social or health care.

7. Acting in whatever way may be appropriate in support of the Beneficiaries, to
improve their quality of life.

8. Notwithstanding the restriction for support of beneficiaries to those who are
resident in the United Kingdom, to develop and maintain contacts with other
individuals and organisations elsewhere in the world the purpose of assisting the
achievement of the aims and objectives of CLIMBS for its own beneficiary group.
This may involve sharing information and ideas that may be of mutual benefit with
other such individuals and organisations.

ENDS

Argentine Election, a Peronist trying to deliver Knockout Punch

This article was first brought to our attnetion by Robert Lenhart.  Marcela  Acuna is our WBC Bantamweight World Champion!
CHAMPION: MARCELA ACUNA, ARGENTINA
WON TITLE: DECEMBER 4, 2008
DEFENDED: APRIL 30, 2009

Acuna willing to Hang Up her Gloves
By MATT MOFFETT

TRES DE FEBRERO, Argentina — Like many women in Argentine politics, Marcela Acuña draws inspiration from Eva Peron. “She faced obstacles and she wasn’t accepted by everybody,” says Ms. Acuña. “But she never stopped caring about the common people and never stopped fighting.”

Of course, Evita never had a right cross like that of Ms. Acuña. The reigning women’s junior featherweight boxing champion, she is better known as la Tigresa, the Tigress. After racking up a record of 32 wins — 16 by knockout — against just five losses, Ms. Acuña is now crossing over into the political arena, running on the ticket for the governing Peronist party in Sunday’s midterm election.
‘La Tigresa’ Heads for the Political Arena

View Slideshow
[SB124596693570656523]
Nicolas Goldberg for The Wall Street Journal

President Cristina Kirchner, a leftist who recently nationalized pension funds and an airline, is seeking a mandate to extend the state’s economic reach. But with a weak economy and tumbling presidential approval ratings, the candidacy of the Peronist pugilist appears to be part of a controversial strategy by Mrs. Kirchner to give her party some extra punch at the ballot box.

Indeed, some of the party’s candidates may or may not actually intend to occupy the offices they are seeking. In midterm elections, Argentines vote for party lists rather than individual candidates. A party’s overall proportion of the vote determines how many of the candidates on its list are seated. Ms. Acuña is the fourth name on the Peronist list for city council in Tres de Febrero, a gritty Buenos Aires suburb with a population of about 350,000.

The Peronist list of federal congressional candidates includes Mrs. Kirchner’s husband and predecessor, Néstor; Nacha Guevara, an Argentine actress who has played Evita in the theater; Daniel Scioli, the governor of Buenos Aires Province; and a number of well-known mayors.

Argentines refer to these as “testimonial candidates,” whose presence on the ballot is designed to lure voters but who would likely cede the office to candidates lower on the list rather than assume it themselves. Many Argentines say that amounts to a bait and switch, though courts have upheld its legality.
Extra Punch at the Ballot Box

View Interactive

See details on the ticket for Argentine’s governing Peronist party.

Ms. Acuña, whose grandfather was a provincial Peronist leader, says she is serious about politics and means to retire from the ring and take a seat on the council if elected. “Argentines have a defect of criticizing before the facts play out,” says Ms. Acuña, a 32-year old mother of two who is married to her trainer. She says that women must always contend with naysayers, like those who once fought to keep Evita from being the running mate of her husband, Juan Peron.

Some opposition parties are also running novelty candidates, including a comedian and a roller-skating champion, albeit fewer than the Kirchners. Ads for one Tres de Febrero council candidate in a dissident Peronist faction show him dressed in tights and a cape like Superman.

“It’s tragicomic,” says Elina Rossi, a Tres de Febrero councilwoman for the Civic Coalition, a minority center-left party with a good-government platform. Ms. Rossi says that as a practical matter, it doesn’t matter whom the Peronists have on the council, because the man calling the shots is Mayor Hugo Curto, who has governed the city since 1991. “If el jefe (the chief) says to vote yes, it’s done,” she says, jerking up her right arm up as if it were attached to a spring.

Mr. Curto, a longtime union activist, is Ms. Acuña’s political mentor. He is also a boxing fanatic who once showed up at ringside to see her fight, just days after he underwent heart surgery, with a medical-care entourage in tow.

Though she wears trunks emblazoned with Mr. Curto’s name while working out at the municipal boxing gym, Ms. Acuña says she isn’t subservient to any man. “I created a new path in Argentina,” says Ms. Acuña, who is 5 feet 4 and weighs 125 pounds. A mural of La Tigresa occupies the gym wall, along with those of Argentine fighting legends. Among them is as Carlos Monzón, the former middleweight champion convicted of murdering a model by throwing her off a balcony. And there is Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena, who was knocked out by Muhammad Ali in the 15th round in 1970. He was shot dead in 1976 at the Mustang Ranch brothel near Reno, Nev.
A Tigress’s Life
[Tigresa Acuna] Juan Mabromata/AFP/Getty Images

Marcela “La Tigresa” Acuña celebrates on Oct. 14, 2006.

Oct. 16, 1976 – Born Marcela Acuña in Formosa, Argentina.

1990 – Trains in martial arts. Becomes South American Karate champion at 14. Defends the title 16 times.

1991 – At 15, she moves in with her trainer, Ramón Chaparro. The couple has two children, Maximiliano and Josué.

Dec. 5, 1997 – Makes her professional boxing debut at Florida’s Pompano Beach Amphitheater. Loses to experienced Christy Martin by a wide margin.

Sept. 25, 1998 – In her second fight, she loses to Lucia Rijker, of Los Angeles, for the newly created WIBO junior welterweight title at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Conn.

April 28, 2001 – Reappears as a featherweight after a break from professional boxing. Defeats Jamillia Lawrence of Atlantic City, N.J., in Buenos Aires, in the first professional women’s boxing bout ever fought in Argentina.

Jan. 19, 2002 – Scores a first-round knockout of Patricia Quirico of Caseros for the Argentine featherweight title. Defends this title in March.

Dec. 6, 2003 – Wins WIBA Super Bantamweight world title with a sixth-round knockout of Damaris Pinock Ortega of Panama. Defends this title in 2004, with a first-round knockout of Daysi Padilla. Keeps the title after wins in October and December 2006.

Aug. 12, 2006 – Defeats Colombian Anays Gutierrez Carrillo for the WBA Junior Featherweight world title.

Nov. 2006 — Participates on the TV show “Bailando Por Un Sueño,” the Argentine equivalent of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Dec. 4, 2008 – Wins a unanimous 10-round decision over her rival Alejandra Oliveras to unify the WBA and WBC junior featherweight belts at Buenos Aires’s Luna Park Stadium. Video .

April 30, 2009 – Defeats Jackie Nava of Tijuana, Mexico, for the WBC Junior Featherweight title, for a new record of 32 wins, 16 knockouts, 5 losses.

May 2009 – Announces her intention to run for city council. She is the fourth name on the Peronist list for Tres de Febrero city council.

Sources: Women Boxing Archive Network, Wall Street Journal research.
Related links:

The movie about Acuña’s life: licencianruno.com

La tigresa, official Web site: latigresa.com.ar

Ms. Acuña’s mother always wanted her to be a dancer, but she was drawn to martial arts, earning a black belt at age 12. She took up boxing after seeing the pioneering U.S. female fighter Christy Martin on TV.

“There was so much machismo,” she says. “In the gym, they’d say, ‘Why don’t you come and wash the dishes?’ ” Her male sparring partners, she says, tended to be divided between the gentlemanly, overly reluctant to mix it up with a woman, and the sadistic, eager to beat her into submission.

Ms. Acuña lost her first fight, which took place in Florida in 1997 against her idol, Ms. Martin. But she went the full 10 rounds.

It took Ms. Acuña several years to get a license to fight in Argentina, but her intensity soon won her a following. In 2002, Patricia Quirico, Argentina’s self-styled “Lioness,” mocked Ms. Acuña’s toughness before a fight. Incensed, Ms. Acuña vowed she would “eat her raw,” according to the Women Boxing Archive Network Web site. The Tigress knocked out the Lioness with a thundering right 14 seconds into the first round.

In December, about 10,000 fans filled Luna Park Stadium in Buenos Aires to see Ms. Acuña win a unanimous 10-round decision over a previously undefeated Argentine challenger, Alejandra “the Locomotive” Oliveras.

As her fame grew in recent years, Ms. Acuña took part in sporting and antidrug seminars under the auspices of the Kirchners. In May, Mayor Curto asked Ms. Acuña to run on the Tres de Febrero council list, headed by his wife.

Ms. Acuña credits Mr. Kirchner, who is heading the congressional ticket, with rescuing Argentina from an economic collapse in 2001-2002 that prompted street riots so violent that even La Tigresa wouldn’t go outdoors. “He led us out of hell,” Ms. Acuña says.

Last week, Ms. Acuña, looking stylish in a long dark coat, went politicking at an asado, or barbecue, with about 150 Peronists in a working-class barrio. Mayor Curto and other party notables turned out, but la Tigresa got by far the biggest ovation.

Sitting alongside Ms. Acuña and in front of posters of Juan and Evita Peron, Mr. Curto said la Tigresa’s success stemmed from training in the municipal gym, proof that the state has an important role to play in daily life. The opposition, he said, “wants to privatize everything.” The mayor scoffed at critics of testimonial candidates as people putting “a stick in the wheel…trying to confuse people.”

After Mr. Curto’s 30-minute populist stemwinder, and a rousing singing of the Peronist anthem, the duo departed. La Tigresa didn’t speak.

Write to Matt Moffett at matthew.moffett@wsj.com

Don Jose’s Gift to a Real Champion

Sometimes you can feel happy and sad at the same time. When you read this note, your heart will break for the family. On the other hand, I am so proud to be part of a group that actually fulfills the dream of a stranger so many miles away. Thank you, Don Jose!

Dear Mr Sulaimán,

My name is Adam XXX. I live in Ipswich, England. I am writing to you today to ask your help. My younger brother Paul who is just 18 years old has always dreamed of becoming a WBC World Champion, and I honestly think he would have been, however, last December he was diagnosed with terminal Small Cell cancer and is losing the battle, and we predict may have just weeks to live.

Paul was due to have his first professional fight in January this year and I have no doubt it would have been just one of many in a career that would have been defined by becoming a WBC Champion. When we were younger we used to make the belts from cardboard, we would always paint one green, so we knew it was the WBC belt Paul absolutely lived for boxing him and it is destroying him knowing that his dream will now never be fulfilled.

I understand that you no doubt receive many many requests similar to this on a daily basis, however I want to ask this favour from you as I want my brother to have some happyness before his time. I am not going to ask you for a free replica belt or anything like that, all I request of you is a Certificate to say that Paul Mills is regarded as an honary WBC Champion or something similar. It would mean the world to him and would take pride of place on his wall.

Once again, I do understand you must recieve tons of emails requesting similar items, but if you could take the time to consider my request I would be forever in your debt.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Adam

Dear Mr. Mills: Serve this e-mail to inform you that this afternoon we sent you the package I had told you about. You should receive it in no time.

You are perfectly welcome, and on behalf of the World Boxing Council, I would like to tell you a few things:

It has been an honor for the WBC to name your brother, Paul Mills, WBC Honorary Champion.

Hope is the last thing that we lose.

You guys are in our prayers.

Kindest regards,

Tito Gonzalez, WBC

Female WBC Web

“Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I. But when the trees bow down their heads. The wind is passing by.” Christina Rossetti

If you believe in nothing else… believe in yourself.

And now.. as Victor would say.. everybody Mambo!

http://www.wbcboxing.com/WBCboxing/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr.cfm?docId=2295&docTipo=9&orderby=docid&sortby=AS

Russian American Sports & Health Fair

This was a sweet one;  Russian American Sports and Health Day. It was held at Asser Levy Prk in the heart of Brighton Beach (Russia!). It is our second year doing this for the Russian American DUltural Center and the NY Daily News.    The day started out drizzly but cleared up just in time. The photographs were taken by Mauricio Drazner, Salvador Brimans’ brother-in-law. Our boxers were Dmitriy Salita, Eilon Kedem and trainer, Hector Roca. Today’s Ambassador of Goodwill was Karen Briman. As you can see, the children had fun. According to security, there were a couple of thousand people present. They seemed to enjoy watching Hector and Eilon go through their moves, while Dmitriy narrated in Russian. Then it was the children’s turn. The gentleman in the suit holding up a WBC Cares T Shirt is a New York Senator. He wanted to be on stage with us.
The WBC thanks the wonderful participants who gave up their Sunday to do this. I am privileged to be a part of the WBC Family. Saludos!

Women-less Boxing in the USA

When there are so many great women boxers living and training in the United States, why are most of the good women’s fights happening elsewhere? What is it about the American culture that acknowledges a sport but ignores the women who partake in it? What does that say about us?

There are a few top promoters who do support women’s boxing. Some, like Burchfield and Goossen Tudor, had women under contract before the non gender sanctioning bodies got involved. Others, like Fresquez, have built stars by creating hometown heroes. These are the exception.

Many of our best and most talented women have to travel to Mexico or Europe to find decent pay, media attention and meaningful title matches. Even Japan, a country that came late to game, televises and honors their women boxers. What’s wrong here?

The major television networks in the US have ignored there own athletes for years. When I supervised Laila Ali’s World Title fight at MSG, they showed a rerun of the Mayweather fight instead. HBO will tell you that it was because her opponent wasn’t tough enough. Really? Well, the male World Title fight that followed was over in a few rounds. So, that excuse doesn’t hang true. Not when an executive from another network said to me, “Jill, do you really want to see women on TV hitting each other?” “No,” I answered. “I want to see two skilled athletes fight.”

This is an issue that we’ve been struggling with for a number of years. Will the Olympics help? I hope so. Validation always helps. It’s not the cure, though. Not when boxing itself is designated a third rate spot on TV during the Olympic Games.

Women’s Belts? For years they were the only belts the women could fight for. I, however, am not a separatist. A belt is only as good as it’s history, and most women want the belt that Ali wore. They deserve that that opportunity. Our goal is to see good women and men’s fights on the same card. Like the WBC Super Flyweight women’s title fight tonight – It’s the main event, it’s televised and it’s sold out. When a good fight starts, the public seems to fly past gender into the match itself. Like I’ve been know to say, ad nauseam, there shouldn’t be women’s boxing – just good boxing and bad boxing.

I was told by John Campi, who runs the Golden Gloves for the NY Daily News that when it comes to women’s boxing, in the USA it breaks down this way:

Men over 50 – They generally don’t like it

Men between 35 and 50 – They are ambiguous.

Men under 35 – Burn baby, burn – they are 100% for it.

So, we either wait it out, and hope that boxing doesn’t disappear altogether in the interim; or we work together to try and change the perception about women’s boxing and market it better.

The promoters are only a reflection of what the public wants, or what they think the public wants. I say, we are a few great fights and few great stars from making this work. Step by step, we are moving forward. But oh, so slowly.

America, respect your women athletes. They will only make you proud!

An interesting response from Molly McConnell:

I read your article on women’s boxing in the US and why so many women’s fights are taking place elsewhere. One of the reasons, in my opinion, is that a lot of promoters will use women on their cards but for a limited time. I was fighting regularly for a promoter here in the northwest who does a lot of women’s fights. But when you get to the stage of your career when you are past the 4 or 6 round stage, they drop you and move on to someone less experienced. That way they don’t have to pay money for title fights ect. There are a few exceptions of course, but not too many. Most of the women’s fights in the US are 4 or 6 rounds in length and it’s like pulling teeth to try to get them to do a title fight. In Eurpoe, they seem to put more money and effort into their women, but once they have the titles, they do everything they can to protect them.

Fraternity

HOPE

Exclusive: L.A. Boxers at CHLA event for young cancer fighters
genarochika genarododger mirthalagenaro
Story and photos by Michele Chong
Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez has been facing his own personal battle against cancer since last fall. Now in remission, the former World Boxing Council (WBC) Champion took time yesterday afternoon to inspire some youngsters battling their own courageous fights against this deadly disease.
Along with current fighters Alfonso Gomez, Chika Nakamura, Walter Sarnoi, Katarina De La Cruz, former boxers Mando Muñiz and Rodolfo “Gato” Gonzalez, the athletes participated in Childrens Hospital Los Angeles’ (CHLA) Celebrate Life with HOPE gala. This private event for childhood cancer survivors and their families was held at the legendary Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
Representing the boxing organization’s World Boxing Cares charity, Genaro, and fellow WBC Legends of Boxing Inductees Muñiz and Gonzales, teamed up with this group of popular L.A. fighters to bring a message of hope and inspiration to young kids, the littlest champs but surely the very bravest. Since 2006, Dr. Jose Sulaiman and WBCares’ Jill Diamond have paired boxers with youth centers, hospitals and orphanages to inspire kids worldwide. The boxing team at Sunday’s gathering were there to encourage the kids to keep up their fight to knockout cancer.
“Big champions supporting little champions” is the WBCares’ motto and the crew of boxers were happy to oblige the attendees at the outdoor carnival on the sprawling New York City backlot of the famed studio. The fighters–newly anointed WBC “Ambassadors of Goodwill”–signed photos and WBC certificates for the tots and posed for pics under perfect June weather at the HOPE (Hematology/Oncology Psychosocial and Education Program) festivities.
backdrop1Genaro, Mando, and “Gato” had a blast posing in front of the massive blue screen at Paramount. This infamous blue sky and clouds backdrop was used in the filming of the blockbuster “Titanic” and also Jim Carrey’s “The Truman Show.” All of the boxers were thrilled to be on the hallowed grounds of the famous film and television studio, where everything from the 1920’s silent films starring Rudolph Valentino, to Elvis Presley “Girls, Girls, Girls,” to “The Godfather,” to TV classics “Happy Days” and “Mork & Mindy,” and decades more shows and movies have all been filmed here.
The kids, their parents and siblings were also treated to a surprise concert by pop icon Jessica Simpson. The bubbly, blonde performed a mini-concert for the fans, including her hit song “With You” (”Nothing but a T-shirt on…) and a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace.” The pretty singer thanked “all the angels” in the crowd and pledged her support for the children.
Besides the WBC team of boxers, and “Dukes of Hazzard” star Simpson, other VIP guests in attendance were J.K. Simmons (the dad in “Juno”), AVP volleyball star, the 6′ 2″ Jennifer Snyder, ChivaGirls from Chivas USA Soccer, the Disney Kids, Dodgers Derrel Thomas and Ken Landreaux.
jessica2Center fielder Landreaux and “Chicanito” hit it off at the VIP check-in and quickly formed a mutual admiration for each other’s athletic accomplishments. Landreaux holds the distinction of having caught the very last out in the 1981 World Series and was part of a historic lineup that included Steve Garvey, Steve Yeager, Fernando Valenzuela, Mike Scioscia, Ron Cey, Bill Russell, among others.
While Genaro reminisced with the baseball player about those glory days in L.A., Landreaux respectfully held Hernandez’s green championship belt with the gold WBC medallion. The Dodger was in awe of the belt and told “Chicanito” he remembers watching his past fights.
Genaro brought his adorable son Steven, 9, to join the kids at Sunday’s function. The boy proudly carried his father’s title belt as the other children excitedly reached out to touch the shiny metal. As many boxing fans know by now, “Chicanito” was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, usually found only in children. So joining the hospital staff, sponsors, and community of CHLA was a poignant opportunity to offer a message of hope to the kids that they, too, can beat cancer.
The former two-time junior lightweight champ, in remission, will continue his treatment in conquering the disease. Hernandez will be receiving a perseverance award from the Boxing Writers Association of America next week, and after that trip will head to Houston for further therapy.
mirthalagroupBut yesterday, after greeting fans, Genaro got the chance to just be a dad as he watched his son make it to the top of the rock climbing wall, play with kids in the bounce house, and enjoy treats including everything from Snow Cones, popcorn, pizza and ice cream to steak tacos, meatball sandwiches, spaghetti, and more.
The father and son also took in the expansive acreage of the studio lot were Disney Princesses, Star Wars characters, and the L.A. Kings hockey mascot all mingled with the children. A volleyball court, fun slide, carnival games, face painting, magicians, clowns, prop cars, photo booths with costumes, and live DJ also entertained the kids.
For the parents, exhibits promoting health and wellness, including blood donor and marrow match info were made available. During a break from helping out with the boxers, I met Mariela Castillo and Diana Cortez from the unique St. Baldrick’s Foundation. I was impressed with the noble actions of these volunteers. They explained that volunteers shave their heads to bring awareness to kids’ cancer research and the hope for a cure.
I also chatted with Richard Tate, from HopeLab, who created a DVD called “Re-Mission,” a game to help young people with cancer. “We’re taking technology and making it fun, and for the good of helping the kids,” he said.
As the event winded down, I toured the rows of vendor food booths and noticed long lines still formed at the pink Fry Girl’s booth where they offered throngs of families delicious hot mini donuts. Seeing the people waiting patiently for a taste of the yummy snack, I asked Shelley from the Fry Girl company how many donuts they served throughout the day. “We served over 3,600 donuts today!” she answered while handing out another batch of the fresh donuts to an eagerly awaiting patron.
The generous sponsors all donated their time, services, and products to ensure the children have a full day of carefree fun in the sun. “We have great sponsors and supporters; everyone donates their time and product,” CHLA Chair Albert Garcia tells me. “It’s amazing who has supported us! This is the largest event of its type in the country.”
Garcia, and all of the dedicated bunch of volunteers, cheerfully assisted the crowd who were united by their passion for bringing awareness to childhood cancer in hopes of finding a cure. CHLA’s Garcia explains, “I feel so passionate about this; I’ve been involved for over nine years now.”
The amiable Garcia is also a big boxing fan and speaks of Genaro’s own fight against cancer, “It broke my heart when I heard the news, but if anyone can win the fight it would be him! I am lucky to know him and spend quality time with Genaro. He comes by to visit the kids so often; that is something to admire. It’s a pleasure and honor to be acquainted with him.”
I, too, personally witnessed “Chicanito’s” dedication to the youngest patients. When he first arrived at the venue, Genaro had a large box of toys to present to kids he’s met at CHLA. Each gift had a post-it note with the child’s name on it–not too many people would find out exactly which toy the boys and girls desired, go out and purchase them, and then deliver them in person! He does not do it for publicity. He does it because he wants to make the children a little happier during the fight of their lives, something Genaro knows all too well.
During Sunday’s program, Garcia, and his colleague Claudia Thomas, escorted Hernandez and the WBC squad of boxers to the Radio 690 AM booth with host Mirthala Salinas where they were surrounded by youthful fight fans for more photos and autographs. As the boxing gang made their way back to the stage area, the kids playfully put up their dukes while meeting the professional fighters.
For “Chicanito,” Muñiz, Gonzalez, Gomez, Nakamura, Sarnoi, and De La Cruz, their weekend of volunteering at this outstanding cause was well worth the time. The elite group were all happy to donate their services and during the day formed a bond, as I saw them exchanging autographed photos with each other, shaking hands, sharing hugs, and group high-fiving with the kids at the HOPE party.
At the beginning of the day, volunteer Susan Rhoads had spoken to me about her anticipation of a wonderful day for the children. She said, “We all want them to defeat the disease.”
And at the end of the day, that was still the main focus, as the WBC group of boxers cheered on the kids to not only fight the battle, but to win the battle against cancer!
I am honored to have participated in this festive day with the boxers, celebrities, entertainers and most of all, the staff and children from CHLA.
A big thank you to the A-Team of fighters–You are all A-mazing!
Special thanks to WBCares’ Chair Jill Diamond and CHLA’s Chair Albert Garcia.
To my Co-Captain Kelli Freeman, and our Asst. Captains Steve Harpst and Alesha Reyes–A hardworking trio.
And to the very special children who continue to fight on–You bring HOPE to all of us, and you are my HEROES!!!
avpplayer chivagirls chivasderrel
stormtroopers princesses snowhite
gatofan gomezr2d2 volunteers
Photos by Michele Chong: The WBC Team of boxers at CHLA’s HOPE day; The festivities at Paramount Studios; Jessica Simpson serenades the crowd; Radio host Mirthala Salinas; Dodger stars, volleyball hero, J.K. Simmons, the Disney Kids and ChivaGirls; The brave young cancer fighters!