Living Transplant: Patient Stories | Organ Donation | Medical Experts
Living Transplant: Patient Stories | Organ Donation | Medical Experts is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes at the transplant program at Toronto General Hospital. Hosted by Candice Coghlan, an Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Centre for Living Organ Donation at the UHN Ajmera Transplant Centre and a kidney transplant recipient, the show aims to educate, inspire, and fuel your passion about transplant. It features patient stories, organ donation insights, and interviews with medical experts.
Episodes
Never Lose Hope: Jess Bailey on Community, Dragon Boats and the Gift of Life
Growing up with kidney disease can feel isolating, but as this episode reminds us, you are never alone.In this episode of the Living Transplant Podcast, host Candice Coghlan sits down with longtime friend, advocate, transplant recipient and dragon boat coach Jess Bailey. Diagnosed with kidney disease as a child, Jess shares what it was like navigating school, friendships, dialysis and two kidney t
Beyond the Perfect Match: How HLA Science Is Changing Transplant
What actually makes someone a “match” for organ transplant? And how close are we to a future where transplant compatibility becomes even more personalized?In this episode of Living Transplant Podcast, host Candice sits down with Jeff Kiernan from UHN’s HLA Lab to explore the hidden world of transplant immunology — the science that helps determine donor compatibility, monitor antibodies, and suppor
Eight Weeks for a Lifetime: Maigen’s Journey as a Living Liver Donor
Discover Maigen’s powerful story of becoming a living liver donor during the uncertainty of COVID-19—and how one spontaneous “why not?” turned into a life-saving decision. In this episode of Living Transplant, Maigen shares how a lighthearted comment between family became the beginning of an extraordinary journey. Rooted in love, resilience, and a deep sense of care for others, her story highlight
You Don’t Look Sick: Fadia on Invisible Illness, Advocacy, Redefining Life on Dialysis, and the Transplant Journey
In this powerful episode of Living Transplant, Fadia shares her deeply personal journey through kidney disease, receiving a living donor transplant from her sister, and now navigating a return to dialysis. With honesty and vulnerability, she reflects on the evolution of her mindset—from a “go, go, go” approach to one rooted in acceptance, rest, and self-compassion.Fadia opens up about the realitie
Behind Every Transplant: Inside Toronto General's Outpatient Transplant Pharmacy
What happens after transplant—when the surgery is over and real life begins?In this episode of Living Transplant, we’re joined by Eugenia Chan, a pharmacist from the Transplant Outpatient Pharmacy (TOP) at UHN, to explore the critical (and often unseen) role pharmacy teams play in a patient’s lifelong transplant journey.Unlike a typical pharmacy, TOP is fully integrated into the transplant program
A Second Chance for Love: Emma’s Determination to Donate a Kidney at 79 | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
Emma didn’t see herself as brave — she simply saw a problem and knew she could help.At 79 years old, Emma became a living kidney donor for her husband after he began dialysis. But the path to donation wasn’t straightforward. After initially being turned away during her first evaluation due to concerns about blood sugar levels, Emma refused to give up. She advocated for herself, gathered medical ev
International Women’s Day: Dr. Irene Kim on Motherhood, Mentorship & Transplant Leadership
In this special International Women’s Day bonus episode of the Living Transplant Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Irene Kim — abdominal transplant surgeon, Director of the Transplant Center at Cedars-Sinai, and the Esther and Mark Schulman Endowed Chair in Transplant Medicine.Beyond her many titles, Dr. Kim is also a mentor, a leader, and a mother. In this thoughtful and deeply human conversation, sh
Guiding the Gift: Behind the Scenes with a Living Kidney Donor Coordinator
What really happens when someone decides to become a living kidney donor? In this episode of Living Transplant, Candice sits down with UHN living donor kidney coordinator Melinda Skadorwa to unpack the full donor journey — from the first health questionnaire to surgery day and beyond. Melinda shares how she found her way into transplant nursing, what a typical (and often unpredictable) day looks l
One Liver for Life: Pediatric Liver Transplants | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this episode of the Living Transplant Podcast, host Candice Coghlan speaks with Dr. Blayne Sayed, transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon at SickKids and UHN, about the complexity and emotional depth of pediatric liver transplantation. Dr. Sayed shares what makes children’s liver surgery uniquely challenging, how families navigate the transplant journey, and why long-term relationships between car
A Toddler Transplant: How Daddy's Liver Saved Camilla's Life | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this heartwarming episode of the Living Transplant podcast, we welcome Bianca and Joseph to share the incredible journey of their daughter, Camilla. Initially born healthy, Camilla’s persistent jaundice led to a life-changing diagnosis of biliary atresia at just four weeks old. After a failed Kasai procedure, the family was thrust into survival mode at SickKids Hospital, facing the terrifying r
Reimagining Healthcare: Advocacy, Equity, and Dignity with Kamika Sylvester, RN | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this powerful episode of The Living Transplant Podcast, host Candice Coghlan is joined by Kamika Sylvester, RN — nurse, patient advocate, nonprofit founder, and tech entrepreneur — for a deeply honest conversation about racism in healthcare, patient advocacy, and reimagining what truly equitable care can look like. Kamika shares her journey as a patient first, navigating a life-altering diagnos
“I See You”: Indigenous Kidney Health, Cultural Safety, and Reimagining Care | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this powerful episode of The Living Transplant Podcast, host Candice Coghlan is joined by Crystal Hardy, a First Nations patient, researcher, and advocate whose lived experience with dialysis and kidney transplantation deeply informs her work in Indigenous kidney health.Crystal shares her journey through kidney failure, dialysis, and transplant — not just as a patient navigating a complex healt
Amy's Reflections from the First 25 Years of a Kidney Transplant Journey | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, host Candice Coghlan turns the microphone on the show’s very own producer, Amy Schluter. Amy is a podcast host and producer, an entrepreneur, a mom of three and now a 25-year kidney transplant recipient. As we celebrate this incredible milestone of twenty-five years since her kidney transplant, Amy joins Candice for a heartfelt, funny, and deeply h
Fifty Years of Kidney Transplantation: Nephrologist Dr. Cole's Perspective on Revolutions in Renal Care | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, Dr. Edward Cole shares his extensive experience in nephrology and kidney transplantation. With a career spanning over fifty years at the University Health Network, Dr. Cole has witnessed the trajectory of transplant medicine from its infancy to its advacned state today. He reflects on the future of nephrology, including potential innovations in tra
Yes And… The Joy of Imperfection | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this conversation, Yitzi Gal discusses the significance of practicing failure through improvisation and mistakes in a safe environment, emphasizing the need to differentiate between minor errors and life-threatening situations. He highlights the importance of emotional resilience and the ability to assess risks in everyday life.Key TakeawaysWe need to practice failure in a safe space.Mistakes s
The Hidden Organ: The Ecosystem of the Gut & Fecal Transplants | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this episode of Living Transplant, we sit down with Dr. Susy Hota, an infectious diseases physician and medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at UHN. Dr. Hota takes us inside the world of C. difficile infections and the remarkable, life-changing treatment known as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).From her early fascination with microbiology to leading pandemic preparedness
A Social Worker’s Perspective: Understanding Addiction, Recovery, Transplant Care | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this powerful episode of Living Transplant, host Candice Coghlan sits down with Sasha, a social worker at Toronto General Hospital, to discuss the vital intersection of mental health, addiction recovery, and organ transplantation. Sasha shares her journey into social work, her experience supporting patients in the Alcohol Liver Disease Program, and how stigma can affect those living with alcoho
Mary’s Journey: Healing Beyond Transplant | Patient Stories, Organ Donation and Medical Experts
In this deeply moving episode of The Living Transplant Podcast, host Candice Coghlan sits down with Mary, a liver transplant recipient whose story embodies courage, vulnerability, and self-advocacy.Mary opens up about her struggles with addiction, mental health, and identity, sharing how her liver transplant became a turning point toward healing — both physically and emotionally. She discusses the
Twice the Gift: Megan’s Double Anonymous Living Donor Story | Patient Stories | Organ Donation | Medical Experts
In this inspiring episode, host Candice Coghlan speaks with Megan Owen-Evans, a rare double anonymous living organ donor. Megan has given both a kidney and part of her liver—gifts offered not to family or friends, but to complete strangers in need.Together, they explore what motivates someone to step forward for such extraordinary acts of altruism, the recovery journey, and the myths and misconcep
Psychopathy, Altruism and the Gift of Life: Neuroscience with Dr. Abigail Marsh | Patient Stories | Organ Donation | Medical Experts
In this episode, Dr. Marsh explains the neuroscience of altruism, from the role of the amygdala to genetic influences on empathy. Through Dr. Marsh’s donor stories and research insights we explore the spectrum of altruism and psychopathy. She reveals how the amygdala, the brain region tied to emotional responses, plays a pivotal role in altruistic behavior. Remarkably, research shows that altruist
This Journey is for Life
In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, host Candice Coghlan is joined by Loi Nguyen; a father, outdoorsman, and all around very positive person. Loi is living with polycystic kidney disease. We discussed his journey from diagnosis to kidney modality options, to the call that came in that changed his life: that there was a living kidney donor ready to donate a kidney to him through the
The Other Side of the Hug
In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, host Candice Coghlan is joined by Winne Jerome who talks to us about her journey as a living donor to her sister through the Kidney Paired Donation Program, making that decision after having a premature newborn baby at home. She spoke about how when she found out she was able to donate a kidney to a stranger, so her sister would receive a kidney fr
Take What You Need, Save My Baby
In this episode of the Living Transplant postcast, host, Candice Coghlan was joined by Stephanie Dyriw, a living liver donor to her son. Stephanie was put in a situation no parent could ever imagine, when her healthy, three and a half year old son crashed into liver failure with no warning. Within days, Stephanie and the UHN team worked tirelessly to get the testing done in partnership with SickKi
We are a Resilient Group
In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, host, Candice Coghlan, was joined by Manuel Escoto, the Patient, Family, Donor Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization Director at CDTRP, the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program alongside Sadia Baig, the Programs Coordinator at the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Ontario branch. What is the common thread between the three of us you
It's Not Outrageous: Jillian Best's Epic Swim Across Lake Ontario
In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, host Candice Coghlan was joined by Jillian Best, the first organ transplant recipient and one in only 72 people to ever swim across Lake Ontario in all of recorded history. Jillian trained, swam and built her mental fortitude so she could swim across Lake Ontario in 18 hours and 36 minutes. She finished the historic 52 kilometer crossing to raise m
I Don’t Want to Just Survive, I Want to Live
In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, host Candice, was joined by Dawn Ethier, a police officer and mother of four. Dawn had thyroid cancer over 10 years ago. The cancer was treated, but she was left with hypoparathyroidism, which caused horrible side effects, changed her lifestyle, and took a lot of time away from her family, her work, and her life. Dawn did a lot of research, and wit
My Mom is My Person
In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, host Candice Coghlan was joined by Kelsey Hannah, an OR nurse and mother who went on a journey of health and wellness to lose weight to save her mother's life by donating a portion of her liver to her. We talked about her journey of self reflection, empowerment, dedication, and what it felt like to juggle life while the clock ticked down getting cl
A Piece of Me in Heaven
WELCOME TO SEASON 5! In this episode, host Candice Coghlan was joined by Vanessa Tait, a Cree woman from O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation who put her heart and soul into supporting her father, Kenneth, through his kidney health journey. She uprooted their lives to move from her father's home community of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, over 700km north of Winnipeg, to the city to access dialysis, as the
Grateful for the Little Things
In this episode, host, Candice, is joined by Melissa Sidhu who works in healthcare, is a passionate volunteer and living liver donor to her brother over 10 years ago. We spoke about her journey as a donor, relationships with loved ones, how to find tiny moments of joy and gratitude throughout this episode. You will also hear clips from members of the transplant community sharing their gratitude. T
I Choose Life
In this episode, host Candice Coghlan sat down with Afsana Lallani, a cat lover and nursing graduate who made a public social appeal to find a living liver donor to save her life. They talk about being young and living with a chronic illness, facing death and how a supportive community can make all the difference. They are later joined by Dilshad Lallani, Afsana’s mother, caregiver and a pediatric
Pressure for Change
In this episode, we're celebrating Living Donation Week. Host, Candice was joined by Sylvie Charbonneau, past president of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, advocate, change maker, and living kidney donor to her son. We were also joined by Dr. Joseph Kim, Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at the Ajmera Transplant Center. We discussed barriers and changes that need to be made to increase acc
Ajmera Transplant Centre's 2nd Annual Education & Research Conference
In this episode, host Candice, takes you behind the scenes of the Ajmera Transplant Centre's 2nd Annual Education and Research Conference, to hear about incredible science, clinical, and research aspects of transplantation. Hear from the following: Samrat Ray: Expanding the transplant pancreas donor, using an ex vivo perfusion model. Adriana Roberta: Determining the impact of certain mismatches, w
I've done this before, I can do it again.
In this episode, host Candice Coghlan was joined by Justin Poy, a father, entrepreneur, and businessman who has lived with multiple types of renal replacement therapy since the age of 10, including three kidney transplants, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, as well as home dialysis. Justin spoke about mental health, resiliency, parenting with a chronic illness, and how to appreciate each day. Lat
Playing with New Lungs
In this episode, host Candice Coghlan sat down with Tara Lisabeth, who received not one, but two double lung transplants at a young age. She spoke about life with cystic fibrosis, what it felt like to take deep breaths and how transplant gave her the opportunity to walk down the aisle and get married. Later we were joined by Dr. Marcelo Cypel, the Surgical Director for the Ajmera Transplant Centre
I've Learned to Walk 3x in My Life
In this episode, host Candice Coghlan sat down with Shilpa Raju, an epidemiologist who finished her degree while battling cancer. She survived the cancer, however unfortunately the side effects from her treatment caused severe lung damage, resulting in her need for a double lung transplant. Shilpa spoke about being a young person battling illness and trying to keep a sense of normalcy and positivi
Waiting for the Science to Catch Up
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Darryl Wallis, who was diagnosed with Hollow Visceral Myopathy at age one. He grew up in and out of hospitals and unable to eat, but about 16 years ago, he received a multi-organ transplant including a liver, bowel, stomach and pancreas, which gave him his life back. He was able to have a family and become a pharmacist and a few years ago, Darryl's son was diagnos
The Rest of Your Sight Life
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Amber Needham and her living eye stem cell donor, Kathy O'Toole. They discuss how Amber lost her eyesight twice from unique situations. Amber, Kathy and Candice talk about their remarkable journey as Amber went from 2020 vision to blindness and how she was given a second chance with sight when Kathy donated stem cells from her eye. They are later joined by Amber's
I Got My Voice Back
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Ivica, an opera singer who loves baking, teaching others, and above all else, his family. Ivica discusses his journey with kidney failure and how his brother stepped forward to be his donor, giving him back the strength to sing beautifully. Later we're joined by Margot Mitchell, a retired social worker who worked at UHN for over 20 years. She speaks of the importa
The Queen of My Heart Function
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Charles Cook, an incredibly brave and vibrant person who is a heart and kidney transplant recipient. After far too many close cases with death, Charles has implemented the life motto of ‘keep bangin’. Charles and Candice are later joined by the one of a kind cardiologist, Dr. Heather Ross who is highly decorated with awards like Canadian Geographic’s top 100 Explo
BONUS: Great Actions Leave a Mark - Paul
In September, 2022, we launched Great Actions Leave a Mark, a national, multi-year public awareness campaign about living organ donation and transplantation. It has images and videos of living kidney and liver donors and recipients from across Canada. This week you will hear another story from a great actions model about their journey with living organ donation. In this episode, host Candice was j
BONUS: Great Actions Leave a Mark - Ian
In September 2022, we launched Great Actions Leave a Mark, a national, multi-year public awareness campaign about living organ donation and transplantation. It has images and videos of living kidney and liver donors and recipients across Canada. In this episode, Host Candice is joined by Ian Goodall-George, who self proclaimed himself as the poster child for boring, but is anything but that. Ian
BONUS: Great Actions Leave a Mark - Ashley
In September 2022, we launched Great Actions Leave a Mark, a national, multi-year public awareness campaign about living organ donation and transplantation. It has images and videos of living kidney and liver donors and recipients across Canada. In this episode, Host Candice is joined by Ashley, a world traveller and horseback rider who donated a kidney to a stranger through the Kidney Paired Don
BONUS: Great Actions Leave a Mark - Craig
In September, 2022, we launched Great Actions Leave A Mark, a national, multi-year public awareness campaign about living organ donation and transplantation. It has images and videos of living kidney and liver donors and recipients across Canada. In the coming weeks, you'll hear stories from great actions models about their journey with living organ donation. In this episode, Host Candice intervi
BONUS: Great Actions Leave a Mark - Jaime
Bonus Episode: Great Actions Leave a Mark - Jaime In September, 2022, we launched Great Actions Leave A Mark, a national, multi-year public awareness campaign about living organ donation and transplantation. It has images and videos of living kidney and liver donors and recipients across Canada. In the coming weeks, you'll hear stories from Great Actions models about their journey with living org
BONUS EPISODE: Remember This Living Donation - Len
Bonus Episode: Remember This Living Donation - Len During Living Donation Week 2021, we partnered with the podcast, Remember This, with host Amanda Cupido to highlight first person living organ donation stories submitted through an online app. In this episode, Len shares his story as a double anonymous, non-directed living donor, which means he donated a portion of his liver to a stranger, then he
BONUS EPISODE: Remember This Living Donation - Glenna
Bonus Episode: Remember This- Glenna During Living Donation Week 2021, we partnered with the podcast, Remember This, with host Amanda Cupido to highlight first person living organ donation stories submitted through an online app. In this episode, Glenna shares her journey as a non-directed, living anonymous donor, meaning she donated 62% of her liver to a stranger! Enjoy! The views and opinions ex
BONUS EPISODE: Remember This Living Donation - Katie
During Living Donation Week 2021, we partnered with the podcast, Remember This, hosted by Amanda Cupido to highlight first person living organ donation stories submitted through an online app. In this episode, Katie shares her journey as a living liver donor to her husband Simon and its impact on their family. Enjoy! To submit your story, please reach out to us at livingorgandonation@uhn.ca For mo
BONUS EPISODE: Remember This Living Donation - Palma
Bonus Episode: Remember This- Palma During Living Donation Week 2021, we partnered with the podcast, Remember This, with host Amanda Cupido to highlight first person living organ donation stories submitted through an online app. In this episode, Palma shares her journey as a living liver donor to her cousin Jess. Enjoy! The views and opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect
Cancer Muggles & James Bond
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Natalie Theron, a liver transplant recipient who was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer the day before she gave birth to her daughter. After an incredible journey with cancer trials, chemotherapy, a HAIP pump and hospital stays, Natalie’s husband became her liver donor, effectively curing her liver cancer. Candice and Natalie speak about rollercoasters, mother
Team Delfina
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Team Delfina: Betsy Amores, Peter Budziak and their two amazing children, liver transplant recipient Delfina, and big brother Matthew. Peter and Betsy talk about their family’s journey with Delfina, who was diagnosed with biliary atresia, and later needed a living liver transplant to save her life. After a large media campaign and a surgery on her liver, mom Betsy
Ordinary People Can Do Extraordinary Things
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by guest host, Ioanna Roumeliotis, a kidney donor to her brother who lives with Polycystic Kidney Disease. They discuss the process of donating, the ups and downs and how ordinary people can do extraordinary things, like saving a life by donating a kidney or liver. Candice and Ioanna are joined by Dr. Sunita Singh, Medical Director of the Living Kidney Donation Progr
A Whole Family Journey
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by guest host, Maria Acero. They discuss Maria’s journey as a caregiver to her husband Luis, who was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis at the age of 15, and at the age of 47, was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. In 2019, Luis underwent two liver transplants within nine days, saving his life, but leaving him and his family with a difficult recovery journey,
Behind the Scenes at the Banff CST Conference
This is a special episode of Behind the Scenes at the Banff CST Conference. The conference connects members of the Canadian Society of Transplantation with cutting edge science and leading clinical practices that can be used to advance the practice and science of transplantation in Canada. Host Candice Coghlan is joined by members who presented at the conference. You will hear from Dr. Marcello
There isn’t a heart sitting on a shelf waiting.
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by guest host, Michelle Rambarran. They discuss Michelle’s journey as a new mom, learning she had spontaneous coronary artery dissection and what it was like to have a heart transplant, fearing that she may not see her son’s first birthday. Michelle had twelve amazing years with her heart, but needed a second heart transplant at the height of COVID. They discuss how
We need more advocates!
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by guest host, Chris Smith. Chris discusses how he became involved as an organ donation advocate through meeting his partner after she donated a portion of her liver to her father. Candice and Chris are joined by Dr. Markus Selzner, the Surgical Director of the Ajmera Liver Transplant Program at the University of Toronto and Co-Director of the Toronto Abdominal Organ
Two Bellybuttons and the End of the Wait List
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by guest hosts Joanne Kearney and Brendan Cahill, co-founders of the Centre for Living Organ Donation to tell their story of how Brendan became a kidney donor to Joanne through the Paired Exchange Program and how they used math to support their decisions and later pivoted to channel their passion and experience to help others. Later they are joined by Dr. Atul Humar,
Listen More and Talk Less
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by guest host, Mary Beaucage. As a follow up to the episode Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Mary discusses her kidney transplant from her cousin, barriers to transplant and her extensive advocacy work. Candice and Mary are joined by Dr. Istvan Mucsi, a clinical investigator and transplant nephrologist at the Multi Organ Transplant Program and Division of Nephrology at UH
If you’re going through hell, keep going
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by guest host, Alley Adams who lived with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years, and after three calls, received a kidney pancreas transplant on her fourth. They speak about what it is like to be diagnosed with a chronic illness at a young age, how that impacts your outlook on life, and how to find a living donor. Alley and Candice are joined by Andrea Norgate, Kidney an
I have parts from everybody
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Guest Host, Sara Murray, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just months old. She brings us through her brave journey of what life was like as a child and young adult with cystic fibrosis and what it was like to receive “the call” for her lung transplant. Sara also discusses her journey in wanting to become a mother, and how her sister stepped forward to be
One Step Closer to Freedom
Today’s episode contains material that might be difficult to hear. Discretion is advised. Host Candice Coghlan is joined by guest host, Tamara Hartley- Harris who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age. Tamara’s journey is one that is filled with hardship, strength and love. She discusses living with diabetes, having a life-threatening health episode that sent her into a coma which turn
Yes, You Can Have a Family
Host Candice Coghlan is joined by guest host, Kate Chong, who received a kidney transplant from her husband. Kate and her husband have a two year old daughter, and she is pregnant, excitedly awaiting the birth of her son. Candice and Kate discuss their journeys in family planning, being pregnant, and the joys of motherhood while living with chronic kidney disease. They are joined by Candice’s obst
Indigenous Ways of Knowing: Kidney Transplant
Hosts Courtney and Brittany sit down with Indigenous storyteller and kidney transplant recipient, Mary Beaucage for an authentic look at the kidney transplant experience. From her crash start into kidney failure to new experiences of community to advocating for patient oriented research, Mary holds nothing back. Read more about Mary’s transplant patient advocacy here.
Heal in Colour: Black and Brown Bandages
Courtney and Brittany sit down with Tianna McFarlane, the founder of Heal in Colour, for something a little different but absolutely necessary. Launched earlier this year, Heal in Colour is revolutionizing the way people shop for bandages by creating a world where black and brown bandages are part of the norm. Find out how Tianna broke into bandage world and how Heal in Colour has brought Canada c
My Strange Addiction: Transplant
Post-liver transplant coordinator, Shauna Watson and post-lung transplant coordinator, Pauline Harney join Courtney and Brittany to discuss their roads into the world of transplant, the day-to-day life of a coordinator, and how they stay organized with literally hundreds of patients. Shauna and Pauline talk about the joy of seeing patients thrive and the wins that keep them addicted to the world o
Pain Management and Transplant
Courtney and Brittany are joined by Dr. Hance Clarke, Director of Pain Services and Medical Director of the Pain Research Unit at Toronto General Hospital. Dr. Clarke walks our hosts through his journey to pain medicine, the difference between acute pain services and transitional pain services, and the interaction between CBD, THC, and anti-rejection medications. Also in this episode: how to pick
A Heart Away From Home (part 2)
In the second and final part of A Heart Away From Home, guest Heather Lannon explains how she landed on her PhD research question: how is home connected to the transplant journey? After promising Jamie she would do her PhD, Heather talks about what it was like to jump into her research just two months after his passing (she blames “widow brain”), the pros and cons of combining the personal and the
Heart Away From Home (part 1)
We’re back to hearts this week with Heather Lannon, Outreach Coordinator for the Centre for Living Organ Donation, PhD candidate and caregiver. Heather recounts her transplant experience which began when her and her husband Jamie relocated from St. John’s Newfoundland to Toronto in the hopes of receiving a new heart for Jamie. With an unbeatable sense of humour, Heather offers an in depth look at
In Conversation with Transplant Leaders (LIVE)
In this special episode of Living Transplant, Courtney and Brittany host Explore a Career in Transplantation, part two of the Ajmera Transplant Centre’s Virtual Open House (May 19, 2021). Dr. Kathryn Tinckam, UHN’s Physician-in-Chief, Dr. Blayne Sayed, Liver Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Cynthia Tsien, Transplant Hepatologist and Education Director, and Joanne Zee, Senior Clinical Director of the Ajmera
Heart to heart with Mali Worme and Vino Ramachandran
In Living Transplant’s first heart-focused episode, Courtney and Brittany sit down with heart function (not “failure”!) fellow, Mali Worme, and heart transplant recipient, Vino Ramachandran. Diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy 10 years ago, Vino walks us through what it was like to go from a “fairly normal life” to watching his health “fall off a cliff.” As Vino recalls some of the more challeng
The Fight to End PKD
Jeff Robertson, founder of the PKD Foundation of Canada, joins Courtney and Brittany to talk all things polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Raised by a mother with PKD and a father juggling the roles of husband, caregiver and parent, Jeff learned firsthand what it means to live with chronic disease, as well as the life-altering power of transplant. With frank authenticity, Jeff talks about the ebbs a
Sex, Drugs, and Anti-Rejection: the Complex World of Transplant Pharmacy
Transplant pharmacist, Dipika Munyal guides Courtney and Brittany through the complex world of anti-rejection and immunosuppression (are these….the same thing? It’s like I learned nothing). From libido to infection to the effects grapefruit has on medications, Dipika explains the reasoning behind medications for transplant recipients, common side effects, and why it’s not all bad. Also in this epi
Let the Sunshine In: The Legacy of Logan Boulet
In this episode, Courtney and Brittany are joined by Toby and Bernadine “Bernie” Boulet, the parents of Logan Boulet. In 2018 Logan became an organ donor after he was injured in the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Logan inspired hundreds of thousands of Canadians to register as organ donors, resulting in an unprecedented increase in donor registration, a movement that came to be known as the Lo
'This is it... I actually need a transplant'
Diagnosed with lupus in her early twenties, Jennen Johnson’s road to transplant was a windy one. With humour and authenticity, Jennen dives into the details of her story exploring her denial and eventual acceptance of kidney failure. From explaining transplant to her 12-year-old daughter, to searching for a living kidney donor, to intimacy pre- and post-transplant, Jennen's story is an excellent r
The Glass is Half Full
Courtney and Brittany are joined by kidney transplant recipient and philanthropist, Salah Bachir, his husband, Jacob Yerex, and UHN’s Physician in Chief, Dr. Ed Cole. They discuss Salah's seven years on dialysis prior to transplant, the inspiration for the Bachir Yerex Family Dialysis Centre, and what Dr. Cole sees for the future of kidney transplantation and dialysis. Also in this episode, a bra
Good Nerdy Fun
Courtney and Brittany sit down with living liver donor, Melissa Sidhu to talk research ethics, biliary atresia, and the privilege of good health. With honesty and humour, Melissa talks about her brother’s reluctance to accept her as a donor, her fear of post-donation depression, and the challenges of having a mother who knows too much about surgery. Warning: This episode contains excessive laught
It’s Not Magic, It’s Medicine
Courtney and Brittany sit down with the hilarious Trevor Hanagan to discuss his journey to becoming a non-directed living kidney donor and his 16-year career in UHN security. With humour and vulnerability, Trevor discusses working security in hemodialysis, convincing his mother and partner that donating was a good idea, and the ‘high’ of the non-directed donor process. Also in this episode: the p
Signed, Your Donor’s Family
Courtney and Brittany are joined by Michael Ward, Provincial Lead of Donor Family Services, Trillium Gift of Life Network, Thanatology candidate (Association for Death Education and Counselling) and former Funeral Home Director. Michael guides our hosts through the process of letter exchanges between donor families and the recipients of their loved one’s organs. In addition to reading a few lette
*BONUS EPISODE* The gift that keeps on giving
In this bonus episode, Living Transplant shares four stories of transplant, organ donation and the holiday season, all woven around an insightful interview with Stefan Pankiw, Spiritual Care, UHN. A heads up, this episode runs the gamut of emotions! From Hallmark movies and receiving the gift of life on Christmas Eve, to finding purpose through the loss of a loved one and eating latkes on the tran
A perfect match
Floral designer and living donor kidney transplant recipient Claudia Morgan shares her experience living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), postponing the reality of kidney failure for a trip to Paris, and turning to her church for help with finding a living donor. Claudia speaks openly about life on dialysis - including the bond you form with your ‘dialysis family' - as well as her reluctance
‘No’ Was Not an Option: Our History of Transplant Innovation
Dr. Gary Levy and Charmaine Beal walk Courtney and Brittany through the history of the Ajmera Transplant Centre (previously the Multi-Organ Transplant Program) and its astounding number of world firsts. Dr. Levy talks candidly about his determination to find a treatment for end-stage liver disease, sleeping in the ICU, recruiting Dr. Heather Ross, and his dislike for the word ‘no,’ - while Charma
