We are very excited to announce that Saj Shanthakumar, or Mr Saj as he is known in his role as a DJ, music producer, and creative director of AfroDesi, is the newest St Mark’s Hospital Foundation charity ambassador.
A long-time fundraiser for the Foundation, Saj will be helping us raise awareness of the incredible impact of St Mark’s Hospital and supporting the Foundation’s efforts to fund ground-breaking research in gastroenterology and colorectal surgery.
Saj sat down with the Foundation to discuss his new role.
Q: Can you tell us about your background and your connection to St Mark’s?
A: I’ve had Crohn’s disease for over 15 years, and St Mark’s Hospital have been there with me every step of the way. The support of this hospital is absolutely fantastic—from the medical staff to the ward staff to everybody walking around.
They’re able to give people with bowel disease and people with any type of bowel issue the support and the help that they need to enjoy life and do all the things that they love to do.
Q: What inspired you to fundraise for St Mark’s Hospital Foundation?
A: It’s been a rocky road – multiple medications, surgeries, and a lot of time in hospital –but I’m genuinely grateful for where I am today. I’ve always tried to give back to the cause that has supported me throughout my journey.
My fundraising journey with St Mark’s Hospital Foundation started many many years ago. I think I did my first half marathon in 2013. Since then, I’ve completed two half marathons, I’ve ran the London Marathon, I’ve done a 100k cycle ride, I did an Instagram live fundraiser during lockdown. I want to continue to do as much as I can to not only raise awareness but also to try and raise as many donations for St Mark’s Hospital Foundation as possible.
Q: What do you hope to achieve as an Ambassador for St Mark’s?
A: IBD is an invisible disease. You can’t always see it, but it affects every single part of someone’s life. The more we talk about it, the more we help people feel less alone in their journey.
I think one crucial thing that I will be trying to do, and what I’ve always tried to do my best with, is to raise awareness amongst ethnic minority backgrounds. In communities like the South Asian community, where talking about things like bowel disease is something that we just don’t do, especially across all generations, I really think that we need to make a change. Fingers crossed me talking about it here will help people open up and talk about your bowels and hopefully we will see a future free of bowel disease.
Are you interested in turning your passion into purpose?
We love when our supporters bring their own unique approaches to fundraising for St Mark’s Hospital Foundation. Get involved in whatever way works best for you. Contact the fundraising team at [email protected]
