London, Ont. - Dr. Faisal Rehman's swing at kidney disease has hit the mark. The event founded by Rehman called Showdown in the Downtown has raised almost $1.14 million (net) in just six years for the hospital's Kidney Clinical Research Unit and the Matthew Mailing Centre for Translational Transplant Studies.
"The support of community event fundraisers like this make a tremendous difference to the research, teaching and subsequent care that our hospital can deliver," says LHSF President John MacFarlane.
It's an event born out of a personal challenge. Shortly after graduating university, Rehman found himself overweight and suffering from diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. While his return to a sport from his youth was intended as a form of aerobics, it also launched a successful fundraiser when he saw a way of connecting his work at the hospital with his rediscovered passion for boxing.
Former national amateur boxing champion Kathy Ure helped Rehman get back into shape. She also told him about the "Banger in the Hangar" boxing events that had been held in London. When Rehman wanted to plan a similar event, to raise awareness of kidney disease and funds for research, she put him in touch with event organizer Francee Ender.
Six years later - on top of his work as a nephrologist, researcher, Site Chief for Internal Medicine at LHSC's University Hospital and an associate professor at Western University - "King" as he is known in the ring, continues to chair the event which has hosted boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) events as well as a concert. He seems tireless in his efforts and has even laced up the gloves to box at the event himself. Still, Rehman is quick to credit everyone involved with Showdown's success.
"Being the fastest London Health Sciences Foundation community event to hit the $1 million mark is a tremendous honor - and speaks to the efforts of an amazing group of organizers, volunteers and sponsors," says Rehman.
The group's mission to knock out kidney disease sees another Showdown in the Downtown planned for this fall. For more information watch www.showdowninthedowntown.com.