Impact Fight Night for Nat
If there’s anyone who has the right to throw a middle finger to the world - it’s Natalee Lawson.
However what you will find when talking to her, is the complete opposite.
‘‘I have a lot to be thankful for, there are plenty of people out there that are worse off than me.’’
The 36-year-old Morrinsville wife and mother of two was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March 2015 after two months of doctor’s visits with severe pain.
A 7cm mass was found in her bowel and within a month a 5cm tumour was found in her liver, a small tumour in each lung, one in her chest and an inoperable tumour between her spine and a main artery.
The diagnosis came as a huge shock for her and her husband Joe.
Before her diagnosis, Nat took up boxing as one of the first female members of the Fight 4 Fitness gym in Morrinsville and went into the ring for the first time in 2014.
‘‘It was so cool, even just going in the ring,’’ she said.
‘‘If I didn’t have that fight, I don’t think I would have been as strong as I am now.’’
Nat’s friends and family have stepped up to support her with the organisation of a number of fundraisers, with her Fight 4 Fitness family hosting Impact Fight Night on Saturday, September 3, starting at 7pm.
Half of the proceeds from the event will go to Nat.
There will be 10 fights throughout the night with the main fight between Julius Poaananga and Floyd Pettifer.
Event organiser Alysha Johnson said Nat was a fighter both inside and out of the ring.
‘‘She’s absolutely amazing! We started together and were the first female members of the gym,’’ Johnson said.
‘‘Her determination, fighting spirit and courage are an inspi-
‘‘Nat's absolutely amazing. Her determination, fighting spirit and courage are an inspiration to us all.’’
ration to us all.’’
Boxing gloves signed by Joseph Parker will be auctioned with one being auctioned off on the night and one online.
As well as chemotherapy, Nat also tried alternative treatments, including intravenous vitamin C.
It was hoped the vitamin C would slow cancer growth and help with recovery from surgery and chemotherapy.
And it worked with Nat being able to return to work.
But at the beginning of August she received the dreaded news that two tumours on her lung had increased in size.
Never one to sit around feeling sorry for herself, Nat has made contact with a cancer clinic in Mexico and is waiting to see if it might be an option.
‘‘You can’t just sit around and say ‘oh shit I have cancer’,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ll continue to feel good, I’ll continue going to work and watch my babies grow and I’ll continue to stay strong.’’