Fighting Forward: How Andrew Turned Loss Into Leadership
I’ve known Andrew Benharris for most of my life — all the way back to our middle school days in North Attleboro. Over the years, our paths have crossed in ways that feel almost woven into my family’s story: he was the assistant principal for my nephews in Attleboro, and now he’s the principal at my daughter’s school. And on top of all that, he’s one of the guys who shows up with me at the boxing gym, putting in the work without fanfare or excuses. That’s who he is — someone who leads by doing.
What I’ve learned is that Andrew’s strength didn’t just appear — it was shaped by loss, by community, by family history, and by a fight he never asked for but has carried since childhood. His story isn’t loud or dramatic — it’s honest, human, and rooted in what it means to keep going even when life hands you more than your share.
I’m honored to share his words exactly as he wrote them. This is Andrew’s story — a story about grief, resilience, legacy, and why this fight against cancer is personal in ways most people never see.
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From my earliest memories, cancer has always been part of my life. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was about three years old, and she passed away in 1988 when I was seven. My brother was nine, and my little sister was only three. My mom was just 33 years old. Some of my first memories are going to the hospital with her for chemo—seeing her wear a wig or a handkerchief. I also remember, unfortunately, watching her get sick and throw up from the treatments. That’s something that’s kind of ingrained in my brain. At the time, I didn’t fully understand it, but those moments have stayed with me.
I also remember how much the North Attleboro community, along with her friends and family, rallied around her. They fought hard for her and raised a lot of awareness. She was a nurse, and over the years, so many people have reached out to tell me how much she impacted their lives—not just as a person, but in how she helped them understand cancer. Growing up without a mom was tough. I still think about those early years and wonder what life would’ve been like if she were here.
Now I’m the principal of the same elementary school I went to as a kid. Over the years, people I grew up with have reached out to tell me how much my mom’s battle impacted them. I didn’t realize at the time how much it meant to others. Cancer runs deep in my family. My mom’s father died of cancer when she was four. My dad’s mother passed when he was 16. My grandfather’s mother died when he was eight. It’s something that’s followed us for generations. About 10–12 years ago, before I met my wife, I had a scare myself—a pre-cancerous mole removed from my hand. I remember thinking about everything my mom went through and being genuinely scared.
Now I’m 44, with a wife and two daughters, and my focus is simple: stay healthy and be here for them. I know what it’s like to grow up without a parent, and I wouldn’t want any kid to go through that. That’s a big reason I got into education and why I’m a principal—to be there for kids going through hard things, especially when it comes to illness and loss.
More recently, my best friend’s brother has been battling stage 4 rectal cancer. It’s another reminder that this fight never really goes away. Back when my mom was fighting in the late 1980s, the outlook for breast cancer wasn’t what it is today. There’s been so much progress, so much research, and so much more hope now than there was then. That’s why efforts like Haymakers for Hope matter so much—raising money and awareness truly makes a difference. I appreciate Cesar doing this. It means a lot to support him and to be part of something that’s making a real impact in a fight that touches so many lives.
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I am so incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to share these stories! Thank you to those who have opened their doors.
Fight night is coming soon! If you feel moved to help me meet my fundraising goal or attend the fight, see the links below:
Come see me fight on May 7- Use code "Rodas)
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