When fighting and fundraising go hand-in-hand
Posted on Apr 26, 2011
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Tim poses with his new trophy. |
In March, Tim Thayer, a first-year medical student at the University at Buffalo, sent an email to friends and family. The message: he would be fighting to support Partners In Health—literally.
Tim had signed up to compete in New York State's Golden Gloves Boxing competition. His goal was to support and advocate for PIH's work in Haiti.
According to Phil, Tim’s father, the story of Partners In Health cofounder Paul Farmer inspired his son to pursue medicine.
“I very well remember the phone call my son made to me early in his freshman year of college to let me know that he had read this book called Mountains Beyond Mountains, and as a result felt called to medicine,” recounts proud dad Phil. “He sent me the book and it’s is an incredible story of one man's passion making a difference.”
From: Timothy Thayer In less than three weeks, beginning on March 18th, I will be competing in the NY Golden Gloves Boxing competition—in the 152lb weight class, sub-novice division. I am writing to ask if you would be interested in sponsoring me walkathon-style. I was thinking that a sponsor could pledge X amount per win, with possibly a bonus amount for a knockout or overall tournament win (there is a regional and state tournament). No amount would be too small to be appreciated. All the donations will go to a non-for-profit that resonates with me, Partners In Health. If you haven’t heard of PIH here a link to their website: http://www.pih.org/. Paul Farmer, the founder of the organization is an incredible M.D. about whom the book Mountains Beyond Mountains is written. Paul Farmer’s work was my primary inspiration for going into medicine. The majority of their work is carried out in Haiti where even a couple dollars can make a significant difference. The regional tournament will consist of two fights (March 18th and April 2nd) with one fight for the state finals on April 16th. It is a single elimination set-up, so I hope I won’t have to write all of you telling the tale of a 1-fight tournament for me, but I’m willing to risk it. In exchange for your pledge I promise to send you a link to the video of each fight (and let's be honest, I'll send you the videos anyway if you want them). |
“What my father told you in his email about Dr. Farmer influencing my decision to go into medicine is true,” says Tim. “So I am honored to have stumbled across a way to help raise money for the incredible organization that has had such a monumental impact on my life.”
“As for the tournament and fundraising, it couldn't have gone much better,” says Tim when asked about the Golden Glove competition.
“I won my division to become the Sub-Novice 152lb New York State Champion,” reports Tim. “Through generous donations from friends and family I was fortunate enough to raise over $1,300 for PIH. My original ambition was to raise a few hundred.”
With the competition over, Tim is hard at work with his medical school courses. “I'm back to focusing on the renal module of my first year of medical school here in Buffalo, NY.”
