Help Needed After Kickboxing Tragedy

Please help Lei Zhenhuan’s family who are dealing with unimaginable tragedy.

Lei is a promising young student who was earning his PhD in Chemistry at the University of British Columbia. Prior to that he was a student at the University of Waterloo and Beijing Jiaotong University.

On October 14th, 2023, for leisure and fun, he joined a hobbyist level kickboxing tournament advertised as “light” and “controlled” contact. Multiple bouts occured. Shortly following his final bout his health rapidly deteriorated and he lost consciousness.

He was evacuated to hospital where an acute subdural hematoma was diagnosed (a life threatening traumatic brain bleed). He lies in a vegetative state at Royal Colombian Hospital. It is unclear if or when he will regain consciousness.

His mother has flown from overseas to be by his bedside. She sits there daily with mounting costs.

The family is facing significant expenses. While Canadian public insurance is in place for his hospital needs he likely will soon be transferred to long term care where private funding can pay for better conditions. Additionally his mom hopes to bring him home to China. She has been quoted a cost of over $100,000 for this alone.

Anything helps. If you can assist this family in their time of need contributions are greatly appreciated.