After a difficult year marked by profound loss and trauma, learning to fight and working with my trainer has rebuilt the strength, confidence and purpose I thought I had lost for good. Boxing has challenged me physically and mentally in ways I never expected, and has played a major role in helping me move forward following exceptionally challenging times. Having started training in December, I am new to the craft, but am I ever up for this challenge.
When I heard about Eastside Rumble and the programs this event supports, I knew I had to be a part of it. Eastside Boxing offers self defence classes by donation and provides free access to boxing programs for youth and frontline workers in the Downtown Eastside. When funds allow, Eastside works with trauma survivors as well, which hits close to home for me.
I have dedicated much of my career to working with vulnerable populations and have seen the impact of community spaces like Eastside firsthand. Access to safe spaces where youth can build skills, confidence, and feel a sense of belonging, is invaluable to the health of our communities and the young people who will shape our future. Allowing trauma survivors access to training rebuilds confidence and develops resilience in ways no other therapies can. These causes are not only close to my heart but also align with my professional values and obligation to keep our communities safe and healthy as a primary care practitioner.
I am dedicating this campaign to my dear friend and former colleague, Dr. Marko Yurkovich , who passed away 5 months ago at age 39 following an incredibly courageous 3 year fight with colon cancer. Marko was the medical director and co-owner of Genetica Medical & Wellness Centre, where I work as a Family Nurse Practitioner. He was an exceptional physician, a fierce advocate for his patients, and a compassionate leader. He spent his final years raising awareness about the rising rates of colorectal cancer in younger populations and the need for earlier screening. Marko’s courage, resilience, and determination continue to inspire me every day and serve as the motivation behind this challenge and my determination to follow through with it.
If I reach my fundraising goal, I will have the opportunity to step into the ring on June 7th to honour Marko’s fight and legacy while supporting a cause that helps strengthen the health of our communities, a mission Marko dedicated his life to. Every donation helps bring me one step closer to fight night and being able to honour a life that was taken too soon.
If you knew Marko and choose to donate, I would love if you would share a message for him and how he impacted you ❤️ Thank you for your support.
Hey Vancouver,
It's that time of year again... Eastside Rumble 2026!
Eastside Rumble 2026 will provide much needed funds to support Eastside Boxing Club.
Rumble fuels:
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improved free programs and coaching for our youth
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dedicated welfare staffing and individual and group support
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the return of our Under 13 Buddy Program
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increased support for our fighter team, and greater access and opportunity for young athletes — many from our youth program — who otherwise wouldn’t have the means to participate in the sport
Eastside Rumble is the primary annual fundraiser for Eastside Boxing. Every dollar raised strengthens youth programs, welfare support, coaching development, equipment upgrades, and access for young athletes who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to participate. Your 12-week journey fuels year-round impact. Rumble brings together athletes of all ages and backgrounds who are ready to test themselves in a new way. Over 12 weeks, participants commit to a real fight camp. They learn technical skills, build strength and resilience, and push past physical and mental limits they didn’t know they had. This isn’t about signing up just to fundraise. It’s about courage, discipline, and growth. It’s about showing up consistently, backing yourself, and doing something that challenges you — in the best possible way. The journey culminates in ESB Rumble Fight Night, a Vegas-style boxing event where the lights are bright, the crowd is electric, and you step into the ring in front of your community. It’s an experience few people ever get to have — the walkout, the nerves, the roar of support, and the pride that comes from knowing you earned your place there. Eastside Boxing has been a community project since its inception. The space was created to build social cohesion through sport and shared effort, bringing people together through challenge and common purpose. Eastside Rumble is our primary annual fundraiser, and the impact reaches every corner of the club. This year, we’re fighting to thrive. Rumble fuels:
Last year’s Rumble allowed us to hire and train new coaches, develop peer coaches, upgrade equipment, and improve our ring and training space. When you battle it out in the ring, you’re not just training for 12 weeks. You’re making a real difference for every person who walks through our doors. You’re strengthening a club that exists to create belonging, resilience, and opportunity no matter your background — and you’re proving to yourself that you can do hard things. This is where heart meets action. | 
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FAQ
https://www.eastsideboxingclub.com/what-is-eastside-rumble
Event Date
Fight Night (and Day): Sunday, June 7th at the Fraserview Banquet Hall
Highlights
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