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Living Transplant: Patient Stories | Organ Donation | Medical ExpertsAuthor: Living Transplant: Patient Stories Organ Donation Medical Experts with Candice Coghlan. Supported by the Ajmera Transplant Centre, Toronto General Hospital, UHN
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 with the goal to educate, inspire and fuel your passion about transplant, with your host, Candice Coghlan, an Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Centre for Living Organ Donation at the UHN Ajmera Transplant Centre and a kidney transplant recipient. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Life Sciences, Medicine, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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You Don’t Look Sick: Fadia on Invisible Illness, Advocacy, Redefining Life on Dialysis, and the Transplant Journey
Episode 16
Thursday, 16 April, 2026
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 realities of invisible illness, balancing motherhood and a demanding career in education, and the emotional complexity of asking for and receiving help. She also speaks to the power of community through the ACB Organ Health Committee, and how advocacy, culturally safe care, and representation are critical in improving outcomes for Black patients.This episode is a reminder that transplant is not a cure, but part of a lifelong journey. Fadia’s story encourages listeners to slow down, speak up, and redefine what strength truly looks like.Key TopicsLiving donor kidney transplant and sibling donationReturning to dialysis after transplantRedefining “balance” and embracing restInvisible illness and “you don’t look sick”Motherhood, career, and chronic illnessThe importance of support systems and asking for helpPatient advocacy and being the expert of your own bodyNavigating the healthcare system and medical mistrustCultural safety and equity in organ donation and transplantationThe impact of community: ACB Organ Health CommitteeLinks Learn more about living organ donation: www.livingorgandonation.caLiving Kidney & Liver Donation at UHN: UHN Ajmera Transplant CentreInformation Sessions for potential donors: givelifeuhn.eventbrite.ca Becoming a living donor: https://www.uhn.ca/Transplant/Pages/become_living_donor.aspxACB Organ Health Committee & Green Table Talk: https://www.youtube.com/@acborganhealth Black Health Alliance: https://blackhealthalliance.caKidney Foundation of Canada – Living Donation https://kidney.ca/Get-Involved/Be-a-Living-DonorTrillium Gift of Life Network – Organ Donation in Ontariohttps://www.giftoflife.on.caEach episode, we share patient stories about organ donation from transplant recipients and living donors, along with insights and education from leading medical experts. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, a donor, or simply curious about the world of organ transplantation, you’ll hear expert advice and inspiring journeys of hope, resilience, and second chances.About our HostCandice Coghlan is the Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Centre for Living Organ Donation at the UHN Ajmera Transplant Centre. She is also a board member for the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. After she was diagnosed with kidney failure in her early 20s, she was on dialysis until receiving a transplant from her mother.Have questions? Comments? Ideas for an episode? Please reach out to the Centre for Living Organ Donation at livingorgandonation@uhn.ca. Thanks for spending your time with us.The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General or University Health Network.
