October 14, 2025
Hundreds Donate and Dance the Day Away at Saverina’s Wayback Lunch & Benefit
Kidney transplant recipient and ambassador, Saverina Scozzari, hosted her second fundraiser in support of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation. The Wayback Lunch & Benefit honoured Saverina’s 28th birthday, aptly taking place on Sunday, September 28, at Carmen’s Events Centre. DJ Danny D and Tony Monaco from Z103 FM were onsite for this daytime dance party, spinning the ’90s tunes their radio show is known for to a dancefloor full of 150 guests.
Through ticket sales and sponsorships and an elevated silent auction, Saverina raised $31,000 this year, and paired with the proceeds from last year’s event, her fundraising tally tops $53,000. These funds are helping to bring a psychology resident into the Kidney Transplantation and Care Clinics at St. Joe’s to support the mental health needs of people living with kidney disease or undergoing a kidney transplant.
“Kidney disease is complex,” said Saverina’s nephrologist and transplant surgeon, Dr. Azim Gangji, during his remarks at the event. “In addition to the complications of their kidneys not functioning optimally, patients living with kidney disease can experience anemia, heart disease, bone disorders as well as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. That’s why it’s so essential that we care for the whole person, not just their condition or disease. And the funds raised at this event will help our team to do just that.”
Dr. Gangji embodies his sentiments in the way that he cares for his patients. He often texts Saverina after her regular scans and blood work to let her know that everything is looking normal, just to alleviate her anxiety as she waits for the results to appear in her MyDovetail account.
In a moving speech made at the event, Saverina thanked her many sponsors, donors, family and friends for their support of her Wayback Lunch & Benefit. She also thanked Dr. Gangji for his remarkable care, ending her remarks with 10 heartfelt words: “I wouldn’t want to be cared for by anyone else.”
Photo caption: DJ Danny D, Saverina Scozzari, and Tony Monaco.