Living Transplant Podcast: Past Seasons

Release Date: September 7, 2021

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

Release Date: August 9, 2021

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 the bandage world and how Heal in Colour has brought Canada closer to true representation at home and in the healthcare world. For more about Heal in Colour visit www.healincolour.ca

Release Date: July 26, 2021

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 of transplant. Also in this episode: what coordinators miss (and don't miss) about working on the floor, why you should send your coordinator pictures of your grandchildren, and Brittany likes wounds.

Release Date: July 12, 2021

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 out the anesthesiologist in the room, misconceptions about opioids, and Dr. Clarke's favourite non-pharmacological form of pain management.

Release Date: June 28, 2021

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 academic, and how she became a participant in her own research study. Part two of this interview delves deeper into the caregiver experience and examines the hardships and resilience of patients who need to relocate for transplant. Don't listen to this episode without listening to part one!

Release Date: June 14, 2021

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 the caregiver experience. From honeymooning in Toronto General to welcoming an LVAD into the family, Heather's story is a unique reminder of human resilience.

Release Date: May 31, 2021

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 Transplant Centre, answer audience questions including what led them to the field of transplant, what keeps them motivated, and the most rewarding and memorable moments in their careers so far.

Release Date: May 10, 2021

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 challenging moments of his journey, including his wife being 8 months pregnant with their first child at the time of transplant, Mali provides insight into the technical aspects of Vino's journey, what she learned, and why she loves her work. Also in this episode: common misconceptions about heart failure and transplant, celebrating milestones in the CVICU, and pre-surgery ginger ale cravings.

Release Date: April 26, 2021 | Download Season 2 Episode 6 Transcript

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 and flows of fear that come with a hereditary disease in the family, why he started the PKD Foundation, mental health, and the importance of sharing your story. Also in this episode: PKD myth-busting, what the resilience of chronic disease patients teaches us about coping during the pandemic, and the significance of the game Operation.

This episode was recorded in March 2021.

Release Date: April 12, 2021 | Download Season 2 Episode 5 Transcript

Transplant pharmacist, Dipika Munyal guides Courtney and Brittany through the complex world of antirejection and immunosuppression. From libido to infection to how drugs interact with grapefruit, Dipika explains the reasoning behind medications for transplant recipients, common side effects, and why it's not all bad. Also in this episode: the golden rule of anti-rejection meds, taxes and drug coverage, and the future of transplant medicine.

Release Date: March 22, 2021 | Download Season 2 Episode 4 Transcript

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 Logan Boulet Effect. Toby and Bernie share their story with our hosts, discussing how Logan arrived at the idea of organ donation, saying goodbye at the hospital, and how they keep memories of Logan alive today. Also in this episode: what the Boulets have learned about organ donation and the transplant community since becoming advocates three years ago, how and why you should have the conversation about organ donation, and Green Shirt Day 2021.

Release Date: March 8, 2021 | Download Season 2 Episode 3 Transcript

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 reminder that everything happens for a reason. Also in this episode: the joy of peeing with your new kidney, Jennen gives a sneak peek at her upcoming project with the Centre for Living Organ Donation, and astrology tangents.

Release Date: February 22, 2021 | Download Season 2 Episode 2 Transcript

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 brainstorming session about the concept of an anonymous donor line, Courtney and Brittany love astrology, and Salah reveals the secret to a nightshift nurse's heart (spoiler alert, it involves a lot of fried chicken).

Release Date: February 8, 2021 | Download Season 2 Episode 1 Transcript

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 laughter.

Release Date: December 22, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 13 Transcript

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, motherhood, bravery and cancer muggles. Candice and Natalie are joined by her liver transplant surgeon, Dr. Gonzalo Sapisochin, whose innovative research is opening opportunities for patients to have living liver transplants to live longer lives, and for some people to be cured of their liver cancer.

• Dr. Gonzalo Sapisochin's Research
• Read about Natalie's art installation

Release Date: December 8, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 12 Transcript

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 surgery on her liver, mom Betsy became Delfina's living liver donor. They speak about the impact it has had on their family, how they love sports and supporting others going through similar journeys. Candice and Delfina's family are joined by Delfina's doctor, Dr. Vicky Ng, a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto, staff physician in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Medical Director of the Pediatric Liver Transplantation Transplant and Regenerative Medicine Centre at SickKids Hospital. They speak about biliary atresia, the transplant process, and how flying pigs and clowns are just a couple of reasons why Sick Kids is one incredibly special place.

• Read more about Team Delfina's transplant journey on ;Global News
• Living Liver Transplants at Sick Kids
• Living Liver Transplant Program at UHN
• Dr. Vicky Ng's Research

Release Date: November 24, 2022 |

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 Program at UHN. She describes the importance of donor safety, the process of becoming a living donor and how grateful she is to be part of such a remarkable journey.

• Watch Ioanna's journey on CBC
• Great Actions Leave a Mark Campaign
• Learn more about Dr. Singh's work

Release Date: November 10, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 10 Transcript

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, spending over 42 days at Toronto General. Candice and Maria are joined by Dr. Margaret Herridge, who is a professor of Medicine, Critical Care and Pulmonary Medicine at UHN, a senior scientist in the Toronto General Research Institute and Director of Research for the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Herridge was also a caregiver to her husband who received a living liver transplant from a colleague after a snake bite caused his liver to fail. Together they speak about how to cope as a caregiver and family, how to make plans, the emotional impact of these life-altering situations and how a good cry can be therapeutic.

Release Date: October 27, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 9 Transcript

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 Cypel about universal blood types. Ghazaleh Ahmadzadeh about the relationship between African Caribbean and black kidney transplant candidates and recipients and their healthcare providers in living donation. Dr. Deepali Kumar about boosters and antibodies preventing COVID in transplantation. Jeff Green and Ryanna Bowling who discuss a modernized pan-Canadian organ donation and transplantation data and performance reporting system. Dr. Caroline Tait joins me to discuss presumed consent legislation and why engagement of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit health leaders are key to decision-making. Dr. Heather Ross speaks about women in transplant and how to test your limits and Dr. Massimo Mangiola, who speaks about the immunology of xenotransplantation. I hope you enjoy this compilation from presenters at Banff CST. Stay tuned for future episodes and thank you so much for listening. Visit the Canadian Society of Transplantation for more information about them.

Release Date: October 13, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 8 Transcript

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 to appreciate the little joys in life, moon face and how having a good support team can make the journey more manageable. Candice and Michelle are joined by Dr. Michael McDonald, Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Program, the Peter Munk Cardiac Center and UHN Transplant to discuss prevention, innovations and how some patients plug themselves in to charge at night.

Release Date: September 29, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 7 Transcript

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 Transplant Fellowship. Chris and Candice speak to him about the incredible process of donating a piece of your liver, advancements in liver innovation, the selflessness of living donors, and if the liver is more like a lizard or a turtle?

Release Date: September 15, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 6 Transcript

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. They later pivoted to channel their passions and experience to help others.

Later, they are joined by Dr. Atul Humar, Director of the Ajmera Transplant Centre as they discuss innovations in transplant, policy changes, what changes are coming to transplant and how to end the waitlist.

Release Date: September 1, 2022 |

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 Ajmera Transplant Centre and Division of Nephrology at UHN. They talk about Dr. Mucsi's work in research about inequities in transplant, how research findings can support patients and families to remove some of these barriers and how to build trusting relationships.

And what was that all about the camo pants? Mary wears camo pants when she travels to bring her good luck as she had a string of unlucky travel delays and since wearing the camo pants, it has resolved some of her travel delays.

Release Date: August 18, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 4 Transcript

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 and Pancreas Transplant Coordinator at University Health Network and non-directed, altruistic kidney donor. They talk about why transplant calls don't always end in surgery, the ups and downs of the waitlist, and the goodness in people.

Release Date: August 4, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 3 Transcript

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 her surrogate. Several years later Sara's kidneys began to fail, and the same sister stepped forward to be her kidney donor. Sara and Candice are joined by Dr. Cecilia Chaparro who is the Director, Toronto Lung Transplant Program, Fellowship Program Director Respirology University of Toronto and Staff Respirologist at The Ajmera Transplant Center and Cystic Fibrosis Program, St. Michael's Hospital. She discusses her passion for supporting people living with cystic fibrosis, the lung transplant program and how COVID changed the landscape for transplants.

For definitions of medical terminology used in this episode, please visit UHN's Medical Dictionary.

Release Date: July 21, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 2 Transcript

This 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 turned her and her family's life upside down, how she managed dialysis and eventually the call for a kidney-pancreas transplant. Candice and Tamara share touching moments as Tamara speaks about how her husband and family got her through the hardest days of her life. They are joined by Dr. Sharon Bray, writer and workshop developer as they discuss how writing is therapeutic, how to get your pen to paper and what writing about your transplant journey is all about. Hear beautiful excerpts of writings about the transplant journey from transplant recipients and donors who participated in the Writing Your Transplant Story webinar.

Release Date: July 7, 2022 | Download Season 3 Episode 1 Transcript

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 OB nephrologist, Dr. Anna Mathew, an Associate Professor of Medicine at McMaster University, staff nephrologist at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Director of Hemodialysis who discusses the process of family planning post-transplant, the considerations to be made before getting pregnant, and the hope for people wanting to explore this possibility.

Release Date: October 12, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 12 Transcript

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.

• Living Liver Donation
• Listen to all of our submissions of gratitude
• Read messages of gratitude

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at livingorgandonation@uhn.ca

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or University Health Network.

Release Date: September 28, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 11 Transcript

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 nurse practitioner. She speaks about the family journey in supporting someone on the transplant waitlist, being an emotional support and what it was like being a nurse practitioner living through the process with her daughter on the verge of death.

• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
• Finding a Living Donor Webinars

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at livingorgandonation@uhn.ca

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or University Health Network.

Release Date: September 14, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 10 Transcript

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 access to organ donation as a whole across Canada and how we can support others to receive and give the gift of life.

• Living Kidney Donation
• ODTC Collaborative

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at livingorgandonation@uhn.ca

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or University Health Network.

Release Date: August 31, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 9 Transcript

In this episode, host Candice, takes you behind the scenes of the Ajmera Transplant Centre's 2^nd 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, which are located in the DQ Loco and the development of chronic rejection.
• Javier Solera: The severity of COVID-19 Omicron variant and Omicron specific immune responses in solid organ transplant patients.
• Lakshmi Kugathasan: Systematic review and network meta-analysis research in induction therapy in heart transplantation.
• Bonnie Chao: Machine learning approaches to processing and interpreting ex vivo lung radiographs and predicting transplant outcomes.
• Dr. Laura Donahoe: Improving the quality of lung transplantation through a technical skills simulation program for surgical lung transplant fellows.
• Christina Lam: Fibrinogen-like protein 2 molecule and how it influences the development of thymic regulatory T cells.
• Luckshi Rajendran: The Toronto management of initially unresectable liver metastasis for colorectal cancer in a living donor liver transplant program.

For more information about the Ajmera Transplant Centre's program, visit www.uhntransplant.ca.

For more information about Dr. Laura Donahoe's Take-Home Surgical Anastomosis Simulation Model, visit https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37202320/.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at livingorgandonation@uhn.ca

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or University Health Network.

Release Date: August 17, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 8 Transcript

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. Later we were joined by Dr. Samantha Anthony, the first person to hold the title of Health Clinician Scientist in Canada, Transplant and Regenerative Medicine Center, Department of Social Work, Child Health Evaluative Science Research Institute at SickKids. Together, we explored the medical journey and tools to support children, youth, and families created from the perspective of those who live with it. We also spoke about post-traumatic growth and the whole family journey.

• Kidney Foundation's Peer Support
• Living Kidney Donation
• Dr. Samantha Anthony's work

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at livingorgandonation@uhn.ca

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or University Health Network.

Release Date: August 3, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 7 Transcript

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 the 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 at UHN and UHN ECLS Program, among many other accolades, who also performed Tara's first double lung transplant. He spoke to us about innovations to expand the donor pool and create more viable lungs for transplant with therapies like light-based therapy to inactivate the hepatitis C virus, a universal blood type, lung preservation and repair with Ex Vivo, and what it is like leading and being part of a team who has now celebrated the 3000^th lung transplant.

• Cystic Fibrosis
• UHN Lung Transplant Program
• Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion System

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or University Health Network.

Release Date: July 20, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 6 Transcript

In this episode host, Candice Coghlan sat down with Craig Lindsay, the Senior Manager of Programs and Public Policy for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Ontario Branch. Craig not only works tirelessly supporting this community, but he's also part of it, having lived with diabetes, which eventually caused his kidneys to fail. Craig did home dialysis for many years before receiving a kidney/pancreas transplant, curing his diabetes. Later, we were joined by Dr. Trevor Reichman, Surgical Director of the Pancreas and Islet Transplant Program and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto. He spoke to us about the life-saving and life-changing innovation behind pancreas and islet stem cell transplants. We hear about the minimally invasive procedure with islet stem cells, and how the end of type 1 diabetes could be in our near future, changing the quality of life for millions of Canadians.

• Kidney Foundation
• Pancreas and Islet Stem Cell Transplant Program
• Dr. Reichman's stem cell therapy work

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or University Health Network.

Release Date: July 7, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 5 Transcript

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 positivity through her day to day. Later, we were joined by Dr. Mamatha Bhat, a staff hepatologist and clinician scientist at UHN's Ajmera Transplant Program and the University of Toronto's Division of Gastroenterology. She speaks to us about machine learning and AI implications for health care and how it is going to revolutionize the world of transplants and beyond.

• Dr. Bhat's Research
• Living Organ Donation
• Ajmera Transplant Centre
• Email: livingorgandonation@uhn.ca

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or University Health Network.

Release Date: June 22, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 4 Transcript

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 was 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 diagnosed with the same disease. He also received a multi-organ transplant by the same surgeon, Dr. Anand Ghanekar, who is our expert guest. Dr. Ghanekar's practice focuses on abdominal organ transplantation. He joins us to discuss the rarity of multi-organ transplants and the privilege it is to have the opportunity to restore somebody from a certain death to almost a normal life, and the personal connection he has to the success of his patients.

• UHN Multi-Organ Transplant Program
• Want to register your consent to be an organ donor when you pass? Want to see if you are a registered organ donor? Learn more about being a donor and don't forget to tell your family about your wishes.

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or the University Health Network.

Release Date: June 8, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 3 Transcript

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 ophthalmologist, Dr. Clara Chan, who talks about fascinating innovation in science with stem cell transplants, the healing properties of amniotic membranes, and how her work is a lesson in humanity and the strength of patients.

• The Blind Girl Sees: Seeing Through the Heart and Not the Eyes by Amber Needham
• Learn more about Amber's charity work
• Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Donation Eligibility & Registration
• For patients who want to learn more about living donor kerato-limbal stem cell transplant

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or the University Health Network.

Release Date: May 25, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 2 Transcript

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 importance of good mental health and how we can all move through grief to gratitude.

• Kidney Foundation Peer Support
• UHN's Coping with a Transplant Manual

The views and opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or the University Health Network.

Release Date: May 11, 2023 | Download Season 4 Episode 1 Transcript

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 Explorers and the Order of Canada. She talks about football, her childhood, Testing Your Limits and why the patient's journey to her, is more than just treating the disease. With special guest Millie, the Myers parrot.

• Read more about Charles' journey
• Test Your Limits
• ACB Organ Health YouTube Channel

The views and opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General Hospital or the University Health Network.