WBC Champs at Charity Event!

Meeting cancer survivors at HOPE celebration

Genaro Hernandez has been fighting cancer since October 2008. Last week, he told me that he has beaten the deadly disease for the second time and his rare form of cancer is now in remission once again. This past weekend, “Chicanito” and some fellow boxers had the chance to inspire other cancer survivors at the 19th Annual Celebrate Life with HOPE event at the historic backlot in Paramount Studios.

This was my second year in a row at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles’ (CHLA) private charity function where thanks to World Boxing Council’s (WBC) President Dr. Jose Sulaiman (a cancer survivor himself), Jill Diamond and Mauricio Sulaiman, I was asked once again to bring an elite A-Team of WBC Champs to cheer on the kids. This year was extra special for me because in our great group of boxing people were three cancer survivors: fighters Genaro, Rodolfo “El Gato” Gonzalez, and Nelly Noriega (wife of WBC Advisory Committee’s Dr. Joe Noriega). “Chicanito, who was with his two children, Steven, 10, and Amanda,18, is a walking testament to beating cancer.

The WBC’s Diamond is also Chair of their youth program called World Boxing Cares (WBCares) and on Sunday, the boxers were all WBCares Ambassadors as they inspired the littlest warriors to continue to fight, stay strong and never give up. Joining Genaro and Rodolfo were fellow WBC World Champions Wayne McCullough (with cute daughter singer/actress Wynona Leigh), Armando Muñiz and Alfonso Gomez, fighters Shawn Estrada, Walter Sarnoi, Jonathan Arellano, Katarina De La Cruz, Pete “Sugarfoot” Cunningham, Paula Banke (daughter of WBC Champ Paul Banke), Vera Thompson (boxing promoter Ken Thompson’s wife), and their daughter Kelly Thompson (oncology nurse).

It was a hot day in L.A. with some very cool champs who all volunteered their time (coming from Riverside, San Diego and Orange County areas) and lent support to bring a smile to the youngest victims of illness at this party for childhood cancer survivors and their families. As we walked around the vast studio lot, I saw the kids’ faces light up when they met the boxers. Later at the VIP autograph area, it became “Champions Row” as the fighters all took turns signing photos and special certificates while handing out WBC bracelets and wristbands. We also had a mascot with us in Josiah Arellano, age 2. With dad, pro fighter Jonathan, by his side, the littlest slugger and aspiring actor wore boxing gloves and was a big hit with the other tots, proving it’s never too early to give back to others.

And ALL of our team of invited boxers are the toughest warriors inside the ring–and even greater role models outside the ring.

I noticed each little boy and girl’s eyes widen as they saw the gold and green championship belts that the titlists graciously brought to show the kiddies. With every autograph, a high five or hug with the champ, I watched the toddlers’ faces light up. The youngsters can identify with having their backs up against the ropes, so they instantly bonded with these ring heroes. And our focus was on the TRUE heroes of the day–the innocent children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

As our squad of boxers met and mingled with the over 2,500 guests in attendance for several hours, they got to meet some of the other celebrities who were also taking time to give back to the community. What a great group of individuals including former Dodger pitcher Bobby Castillo, actress/singer T Lopez (her remake of “Macarena” was a smash hit), “American Idol” Season 7’s Luke Menard, KTLA’s DJ Hapa, actor/pop singer Tionne Williams, Alfonso’s brother, Robb Gomez (lead singer of Hy3rid), the L.A. Kings “Ice Crew” girls, several talented Nickelodeon actors and young stars from the Disney Channel, and so many others we met in and around the studio backlot and at the autograph zone.

As we rotated shifts at the signing table, the boxers didn’t ever want to take a break from their autograph posts. In fact, before we could have them officially sit down at the designated chairs, they were besieged by the children even before they were announced from the stage. CHLA’s Albert Garcia and I were amazed as the autograph table took on a life of its own and the hectic pace never ceased throughout the day.

Many of the boxers also took the opportunity to participate in the huge crowd on the Hollywood lot. Nicole, Maureen, Alicia and Jade were just some of the volunteers from various organizations who were part of the friendliest bunch of people ever–I even reconnected with many of them who remembered us from last year! As we toured the celebration throughout the day, I watched WBC Champ Rodolfo Gonzalez face off against “Star Wars” characters like Chewbacca and the fierce storm troopers. He, WBC Champ Mando Muñiz and Vera Thompson also took part in a yoga demo that impressed the audience! Once an athlete, always an athlete. 2008 Olympic boxer Shawn Estrada also got to catch up with another fellow Beijing Olympian from the same year–NBA Superstar Carmelo Anthony. “Melo” is a 2008 Gold Medalist from the USA Olympic basketball team. The two athletes were very popular with the fans.

The champs continued to visit the various booths set up in the carnival atmosphere amidst building and backdrops recognizable from film and TV. The health and fitness fair featured games, surfboard adventures, mini plane rides, rock wall climbing and fun photo booths. The activities and entertainment ensured the kids another day in the sun where they can just be kids again. You couldn’t help but notice that many of the babies and kids are still undergoing treatment with face masks, tubes or bandages covering their tiny little bodies. Perhaps many had spent much of their childhood in hospitals so Sunday was the best medicine yet–an afternoon full of love and laughter. And the most beautiful children I met there? The truly gorgeous ones who have lost all of their hair from chemo or radiation treatment; their smiles were the best and brightest there!

And after a lively group photo toward the end of the event, the prizefighters continued to let the kids pose in their WBC championship belts. CHLA’s Albert Garcia (our fearless leader!) chatted a few minutes with me and “The Contender” star Alfonso Gomez, who’s scheduled to fight on July 17. As the boys and girls took turns trying on the belt, Garcia introduced us to the HOPE 2010 honoree, Dr. Stuart Siegel, Director of Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases. Dr. Siegel told us how much the children enjoyed meeting the boxers as he watched the line of kids gathering to say hi to our team. Then the good-natured doctor put up his own powerful dukes as he posed with Alfonso!

At the very end of the event, we also met some of the great exhibitors on our way out. WBC Champ Paul Banke’s pretty daughter, Paula, even got a chance to “hang ten” on the RoboSurfer set up. The perky college student never wavered once and was a natural. She and fighters Alfonso Gomez and Jonathan Arellano were constantly recognized and continued to sign autographs and pose for pics even as we all headed out to the parking lot.

“Big Champions Supporting Little Champions” is the motto of WBCares and you can see for yourself in these exclusive pics from the day that there is no truer statement than this at the HOPE (Hematology/Oncology Psychosocial & Education Program) event over the weekend.

Thank you to Dr. Stuart Siegel, Dr. Ernie Katz and Albert Garcia for your hospitality and generosity. We were honored to be part of your festivities and will never forget meeting the little angels–the children who’ve courageously battled back against cancer!

I pray for a “knockout victory” for each and every child.

If you’d like to donate to the children’s hospital visit here chla.org

Photos by Michele Chong and Steve Harpst