March 18, 2025

From Gratitude to Giving: How Two Kidney Transplant Survivors Are Paying It Forward Through Community Spirit  

The Kidney and Urinary program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare is one of the largest in the province, supporting more than 2,000 patients. March is Kidney Month, so we are taking a moment to recognize two grateful patients who have organized some incredibly popular and successful community events to support kidney transplantation and care here at St. Joe’s.   

David & Ken’s Concert for a Cause: Guitar Strings & Kidney Things  

At just six months old, David was diagnosed with kidney disease. After years of battling the condition, his life took a dramatic turn in 1997 when, at the age of 19, he received a life-saving kidney transplant from his father, Ken, at St. Joe’s.  

As the 20th anniversary of his transplant approached, David felt a strong desire to give back to the Hospital that had been such a big part of his life and his journey with kidney disease. Inspired to support others facing similar challenges, he teamed up with his father to create Guitar Strings and Kidney Things®  –  an annual charity concert dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support kidney care at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.  

“This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to this great organization for all their hard work and innovation in providing renal care for those in need,” shares Ken. The charity concert will return on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Bridgeworks Hamilton. Stay tuned for forthcoming announcement on the headlining band and their musical guests, amazing auction prizes and more!   

Sponsorship opportunities for Guitar Strings and Kidney Things are now available, for more information please contact David Angus at angusdw@gmail.com or Adam Tillich at adam@stjoesfoundation.ca. 

Saverina’s Sunday Morning Fever Fundraiser  

In 2023, Saverina Scozzari received a life-saving kidney donation from her father, John. The transplant was performed here at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. While the transplant was successful in the long run, Saverina experienced some difficulties post procedure and they weren’t just physical in nature. The stress associated with medications as well as their side effects, complications from surgery, and grieving of patient’s ‘old lives’ takes a mental toll, making it relatively common for transplant patients to experience anxiety, depression and even thoughts of self-harm post-procedure. Saverina soon found herself diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.   

While she felt lucky to be surrounded by a strong support system of family, friends, and healthcare professionals, Saverina knows not everyone in her position has the same resources. So, in 2024, Saverina decided to raise vital funds and awareness to help provide additional mental health supports for transplant recipients. ‘Sunday Morning Fever’, a weekend morning dance party that also featured an incredible silent auction, raised $22,000 through ticket sales and sponsorships for kidney care at St. Joe’s.  

The first event was such a rousing success that Saverina is currently planning her second annual fundraiser, a ‘Wayback Lunch & Benefit’ on Sunday, September 28 at the Carmen’s Event Centre featuring DJ Danny D and Tony Monaco from Z103.5 FM. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please contact Saverina Scozzari at  saverinascozzari@gmail.com or Adam Tillich at adam@stjoesfoundation.ca.