FROM THE PUBLISHER – This Time It’s Personal For The 2025 Kidney Celebrity Men
Spring is here and with it comes the start of event season! Whereas trade shows, galas, fundraisers and festivals are ongoing throughout the year, in my opinion, things seem to shift into high gear in April and May.
In this issue you will read about the Windsor Home & Garden Show and the #YQG Togetherfest in April. And you’ll see ads for the Walk For Alzheimer’s, the Woofa~Roo Pet Fest, plus the Windsor Classic Chorale’s Storytellers concert, all taking place in May.
Another big event happening in May each year that Biz X is involved with is The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter branch’s Celebrity Men Fashion Event.
This is the seventh year for the fundraiser and the evening promises to be a great time for attendees who love to cheer on the men as they walk the runway and interact with the crowd. This year the event is on
Thursday, May 22 (find more details at the end of this article).
While it is a fun night, there is also a fundraising aspect. The goal is to raise $25,000 to contribute to programs and services for people living with kidney disease, and also for kidney-related research.
As usual, a model reveal announcing the participants was held in mid-March at Formula First Collision, 9420 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor.
The 11 community-minded male models generously volunteering their time to make this event a success have a personal relationship to kidney disease. And because of their commitment to the cause and personal connections, they are “celebrities” in our eyes!
“Our spotlight is on men who have been touched by kidney disease in unique and personal ways,” states Shannon Van Watteghem- Levasseur, Fund Development & Engagement Officer, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter. “Some have received life-changing kidney transplants, others have dedicated themselves to advocacy and public education, and some have faced kidney disease since childhood — a reality we often don’t consider, as kidney disease is not typically thought of as a childhood illness. Their stories inspire hope, resilience, and awareness in our community.”
Curious as to who the models are?
That’s the point of my column for this issue, so of course I am going to tell you their names (as well you can see a photo of them on the next page)! I’m also mentioning how they are related to the cause.
Presenting The 2025 Kidney Celebrity Men . . .
- Carl Cadogan: Senior Regional Manager, Community & Fund Development, Southwestern Ontario for the Kidney Foundation of Canada
- Michael (Mike) Mastronardi: A care partner to his late wife Anne who was on dialysis. As well, he is a founding member of the Windsor & District Chapter and the Advisory Committee Chair.
- Matthew Dumouchel: A caregiver for his late father who was on dialysis. He is also the Director of Operations for the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce.
- Gabriel (Gabe) La Sala: Kidney transplant recipient
- Cody Willson: A caregiver for his wife who currently has stage 3 kidney disease
- Keith Chevalier: Kidney transplant recipient
- Spencer Johnson: Had a kidney infection called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) as a child, which resulted in hospitalization and dialysis
- Don Hearn Sr.: Personally connected to kidney disease
- Sean Penhale: Care partner to nephew who has nephrosis since birth
- Jason Primeau: Caregiver for late father who was on dialysis
- Christian Vegh: Has a close family friend recently needing to have his kidney removed due to cancer. He is also a local musician, brand model and is representing Biz X magazine.
If you are interested in seeing these men strut their stuff for the local kidney branch make sure you purchase a ticket for the May 22 event at Formula First Collision. Tickets are $65 general admission and $90 VIP.
The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with delicious hors d’oeuvres and includes a silent auction, an opportunity to win a chest full of wine and other spirits, a photo booth and more, with a few surprises in store for the audience!
The fashion show part begins at 8 p.m. with the models wearing the latest styles from Collins Clothiers, The Suit Shop Co. Ltd., Levi’s and Moores Clothing For Men.
Two Masters of Ceremonies for event — Matt Rutherford, afternoon host of Virgin Radio 93.9 and local actress Michelle Mainwaring — will keep the crowd in stitches as well, as part of the entertainment.
The 7th Annual Celebrity Men Fashion Event is graciously sponsored and supported by: AM800 CKLW, Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, CTV, D Martin Photography, Dominant Mold Duplicating Inc., Festival Tent, Windsor’s Pure County 89, Southwestern Manufacturing Inc., Formula First Collision and the one and only, Biz X magazine!
For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, please visit online.
