It was the worst year of his life.

As a high school student, Nick Castiglia lost both his best friend and aunt to cancer, one after the other, without so much as a month in between to grieve.

The one-two punch emotionally crippled the martial arts expert.

“You feel so helpless,” said Castiglia. “I always said ‘One day I’m going to do something.’”

Eight years have passed and now Castiglia is ready to fight back against the disease that is expected to affect one in three Ottawa residents in their lifetime.

In honour of those who have fought and are still fighting for their lives, Castiglia is hosting Throwdown in O-Town Fights for a Cure on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The 13-fight event is a benefit for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.

Martial artists trained in Thailand’s national sport called Muay Thai will use their fists, knees, shins and elbows as weapons in the fight for a cure at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park at 6 p.m.

Tickets cost $30.

“You help in whatever way you can,” said Castiglia, an instructor at the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts. “This is my way.”

The pain of loss was recently rekindled in Castiglia when his mentor, Pat Cooligan, lost his mother to cancer this year. The losses keep stacking up and the wins feel too far in between, he said.

“It’s not just about the people we’ve lost,” he said. “It’s for those who are still fighting. Cancer can be beaten.”

For tickets to the fundraiser, call 613-0728-0880 or visit www.ottawamuaythai.ca.

MUAY THAI

Muay Thai is also known as the Art of Eight Limbs because unlike more common striking martial arts like karate, fighters can attack with eight points of contact.

“It’s like kickboxing but much better,” said Luke Schubert, an organizer of the event.

Saturday’s fight night features Kanata’s Andrew Walters, who is going up against Chris Leslie, and Nepean’s Will Barclay, battling Jericho Cabuntucan.

Previous Throwdown in O-Town events have served as a stepping stone in the careers of new fighters.

“There are small events but people pay attention,” said Castiglia, adding that scouts tend to check out emerging talent.