Transplant Ambassador Program

Transplant Ambassador Program It's not easy to understand kidney failure, dialysis, and kidney transplantation. WE CAN HELP.

🔈Spotlight: Kathy IrwinTAP is honoured to recognize our longtime ambassador, Kathy Irwin, who donated a kidney to an ano...
05/29/2026

🔈Spotlight: Kathy Irwin
TAP is honoured to recognize our longtime ambassador, Kathy Irwin, who donated a kidney to an anonymous recipient in 2022. 💚

Kathy worked for a number of years as a social worker in an oncology clinic, supporting patients and families through the cancer journey. She also serves as a volunteer ESL (English as a second language) tutor, working with newcomers to Canada.

Reflecting on her experience, she shares: “From an early age, I was fascinated by the fact that a living person could donate a kidney to another and both could live healthy lives. I think I was waiting for an opportunity to present itself, but I never met anyone who needed a kidney. Once I turned 65, I thought I had left it too late. I called the living kidney donor program anyway, and found out that I was not too old. I attended the info session and started the work-up. With each new test, I asked myself if I wanted to continue, and each time I did. I tried to find out everything I could about the living kidney donor experience. In November 2012, I was wheeled into the OR, but not before the surgeon checked one more time to confirm that I wanted to go ahead with the donation. My recovery went well. I left the hospital three days later and very gradually returned to my daily one-hour walking routine. I have never looked back. Almost 13 years later, I am in good health, and my lone kidney is performing beautifully.” 💬

Kathy wishes to provide potential donors with a “lived experience” view of living kidney donation.

She serves as an ambassador for The Ottawa Hospital and is fluent in English and French, helping connect and support both communities within TAP.

đŸ“œïž Learn more about Kathy’s journey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR8-qTIC3pU

Thank you, Kathy, for your inspiring generosity and for helping raise awareness about the impact of living donation 🌟
Special thanks to The Ottawa Hospital for their ongoing support.

Contact & links:
Email: [email protected]
Directory: https://transplantambassadors.ca/?s=kathy&post_type=ambassadors
Website: https://transplantambassadors.ca/

Nous sommes infiniment reconnaissants d'avoir eu l'opportunitĂ© de participer Ă  l'Ă©mission ‘PĂ©nĂ©lope’ de PĂ©nĂ©lope McQuade...
05/27/2026

Nous sommes infiniment reconnaissants d'avoir eu l'opportunitĂ© de participer Ă  l'Ă©mission ‘PĂ©nĂ©lope’ de PĂ©nĂ©lope McQuade, diffusĂ©e sur les ondes de CBC/Radio-Canada Ă  MontrĂ©al, pour aborder l'important sujet du don et de la transplantation de rein de son vivant. 💚

Entendre Christine Pisapia et Serge Pisapia, ambassadeurs de TAP, ainsi que Jean-Marc Pisapia, parler avec autant de sincérité et de passion de leur expérience a rendu cette conversation particuliÚrement marquante. Leurs témoignages ont tellement touché les participants que l'équipe a prolongé la discussion. Cela témoigne de l'importance et de la force de ces histoires.

Merci Ă  PĂ©nĂ©lope McQuade et Ă  son Ă©quipe d'avoir crĂ©Ă© cet espace d'Ă©change et d'avoir contribuĂ© Ă  sensibiliser d’avantage les personnes atteintes d’insuffisance rĂ©nale et ceux qui pourraient les aider en leur donnant un rein. Chaque tĂ©moignage est une source d'espoir, de comprĂ©hension et de solidaritĂ©. 💚

🎧 Écoutez l'intĂ©gralitĂ© de la conversation et dĂ©couvrez vous-mĂȘme ces tĂ©moignages poignants en cliquant sur le lien:
https://ici.radiocanada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/penelope/episodes/1091363/mercredi-20-mai-2026/transcription

Consultez le site web du Programme d'ambassadeurs de la transplantation : https://transplantambassadors.ca/

We’re incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to join PĂ©nĂ©lope McQuade on her show, PĂ©nĂ©lope, on the French side...
05/27/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to join PĂ©nĂ©lope McQuade on her show, PĂ©nĂ©lope, on the French side of CBC/Radio-Canada in Montreal to share the important conversation around living kidney donation and transplantation. 💚

Hearing TAP ambassadors Christine Pisapia and Serge Pisapia alongside Jean Marc Pisapia, speak so openly and passionately about their experiences made this conversation especially meaningful. The message resonated so deeply that the team gave extra time to continue the discussion. A true reflection of how heartfelt, impactful, and important these stories are.

Thank you to PĂ©nĂ©lope McQuade and her team for creating space for these conversations and helping to raise awareness among people with kidney failure and those who could help them by donating a kidney. Every story shared helps inspire hope, understanding, and connection.💚

🎧 Listen to the full conversation and hear these powerful stories for yourself with the link: https://ici.radiocanada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/penelope/episodes/1091363/mercredi-20-mai-2026/transcription

Check out the TAP website: https://transplantambassadors.ca/

Brave Patient Seeking Donor, TonyaTonya is from Surrey, British Columbia, and is currently searching for a living kidney...
05/25/2026

Brave Patient Seeking Donor, Tonya

Tonya is from Surrey, British Columbia, and is currently searching for a living kidney donor. She is living with PKD, a genetic kidney disease, which has greatly impacted her energy, independence, and daily life. Tonya loves boating, fishing, exercising, motorcycle rides, and spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and beloved cats. Tonya is hoping for a living kidney donor so she can regain her independence, be more active with her family, and continue enjoying the life she loves.

Learn more about Tonya’s Story: https://transplantambassadors.ca/patient/tonya/
Tonya’s Instagram/Facebook:

How you can help:
1ïžâƒŁ Share this post! Every share helps Tonya’s story reach more people.
2ïžâƒŁ Learn more about living kidney donation: https://www.blood.ca/en/organs-tissues/living-donation
3ïžâƒŁ Visit: transplantambassadors.ca

By sharing Tonya’s story, you are helping shine a light on living kidney donation and bringing hope closer to those still waiting 💚

Congratulations to TAP Ambassador Jamal El Ali on his new book! Inspired in part by his kidney transplant and the second...
05/20/2026

Congratulations to TAP Ambassador Jamal El Ali on his new book! Inspired in part by his kidney transplant and the second chance at life made possible through a stranger’s decision to donate their organs. 💚
TAP Ambassador Jamal has released his new book Personal Strategy: Build Direction, Make Better Decisions, and Take Control of Your Life, now available in paperback.

Jamal has proudly served as a TAP Ambassador at UHN for over 5 years, sharing his story and supporting others through their kidney journey. His latest work reflects the same resilience and purpose he brings to his advocacy.

Learn more about Jamal here:
https://transplantambassadors.ca/ambassadors/Jamal-e/s

Watch his ambassador story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DtjYtA3ZW0&t=20

Get the book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0GWMGW553

🔈 Spotlight: Craig ThompsonWe are proud to recognize our new TAP Ambassador at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Craig T...
05/15/2026

🔈 Spotlight: Craig Thompson

We are proud to recognize our new TAP Ambassador at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Craig Thompson.

Craig is a dedicated athlete and living kidney donor who donated a kidney to his mom and later returned to the global stage of competitive running. His journey is a powerful example of resilience, strength, and the life-changing impact of organ donation. 💚

Craig shares, “If sharing our story inspires one person to consider donating their kidney to a loved one, then that’s something we felt like we needed to do.” 💬

He also says, “People come together on a daily basis to do extraordinary things. I would just consider myself to be someone who had an opportunity to help.” 💬

Craig speaks both English and French and is passionate about supporting individuals across both communities, helping create greater accessibility through the TAP community.

Thank you, Craig, for joining TAP and sharing your experience to inspire hope, raise awareness for kidney donation, and support others throughout their transplant journey. 🌟

We also extend a special thank you to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton for all the incredible work they do.

Craig Thompson Ambassador Directory: https://transplantambassadors.ca/?s=Craig&post_type=ambassadors

Read Craig’s inspiring story: https://stjoesfoundation.ca/a-runners-kidney-athlete-returns-to-global-stage-after-donating-a-kidney-to-his-mom/

Learn more about our Ambassadors: https://transplantambassadors.ca/

“Un don” : Des MontrĂ©alais partagent des tĂ©moignages de dons d’organes durant la semaine de sensibilisation 💚Nous sommes...
05/13/2026

“Un don” : Des MontrĂ©alais partagent des tĂ©moignages de dons d’organes durant la semaine de sensibilisation 💚

Nous sommes extrĂȘmement fiers d’annoncer que le Programme de don d’organes et de tissus (PDOT) a Ă©tĂ© mis en lumiĂšre dans cet article inspirant durant la Semaine nationale de sensibilisation au don d’organes et de tissus.

Cet article souligne l’impact concret du don d’organes, en partageant des histoires poignantes de personnes dont la vie a Ă©tĂ© transformĂ©e grĂące Ă  la gĂ©nĂ©rositĂ©, la rĂ©silience et une seconde chance. Partout au Canada, plus de 4 000 personnes attendent encore une greffe qui pourrait leur sauver la vie, ce qui nous rappelle l’importance cruciale de la sensibilisation.

Un merci tout particulier aux personnes qui ont participé à l'interview télévisée:
Le Dr Ahsan Alam, codirecteur médical du Programme de transplantation et de don multi-organes du CUSM, pour son leadership et son expertise dans le domaine.
L’ambassadeur du PDOT, Serge Pisapia, un receveur de rein dont le parcours continue d’inspirer.

BientĂŽt ambassadeurs du PDOT :
Luisa Miniaci, receveuse de deux organes (foie et rein).
Jonathan Vanderzon, qui a offert le don de la vie en donnant un rein à un ami d’enfance.

Vos tĂ©moignages nous rappellent avec force l'impact qu'une seule dĂ©cision peut avoir. Continuons Ă  sensibiliser le public et Ă  nous soutenir mutuellement ! 💚

👉 Visionnez le reportage complet: https://montreal.citynews.ca/2026/04/24/montrealers-organ-donations-awareness-week/

“A gift”: Montrealers share stories of organ donations during awareness week 💚We’re incredibly proud to share that TAP h...
05/13/2026

“A gift”: Montrealers share stories of organ donations during awareness week 💚

We’re incredibly proud to share that TAP has been featured in this inspiring story during National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week.

This feature highlights the life-changing impact of kidney donation and the importance of continuing to raise awareness across Canada, where more than 4,000 people are currently waiting for a transplant.

A special thank you to those featured in the TV interview:
Dr. Ahsan Alam, Medical Co-Director, Multi-Organ Transplant and Donation Program, MUHC, for his leadership and expertise in the field.
TAP Ambassador Serge Pisapia, a kidney recipient whose journey continues to inspire.

Soon to be TAP Ambassadors
Luisa Miniaci, a double organ recipient (liver and kidney).
Jonathan Vanderzon, who gave the gift of life by donating a kidney to a childhood friend.

Your stories are a powerful reminder of the difference one decision can make. Let’s keep spreading awareness and supporting one another! 💚

👉 Watch the full feature: https://montreal.citynews.ca/2026/04/24/montrealers-organ-donations-awareness-week/

Brave Patient Seeking Donor, MadaviMadavi is from Markham, Ontario, and is currently on dialysis three days per week whi...
05/11/2026

Brave Patient Seeking Donor, Madavi

Madavi is from Markham, Ontario, and is currently on dialysis three days per week while actively seeking a kidney transplant. She is a hardworking production clerk who continues to work despite her diagnosis. She hopes for a transplant so she can live a longer, healthier life to watch her nieces and nephews grow, have a child of her own, and travel the world.

Learn more about Madavi’s story: https://transplantambassadors.ca/patient/madavi/

How you can help:
1ïžâƒŁ Share this post! Every share helps Madavi’s story reach more people.
2ïžâƒŁ Learn more about living kidney donation: https://www.blood.ca/en/organs-tissues/living-donation
3ïžâƒŁ Visit: transplantambassadors.ca
Every share helps raise awareness and brings hope! 💚

Last Chance to Register for our Webinar! Details down belowTransplant Ambassador Program (TAP) Webinar Series Presents 💚...
05/10/2026

Last Chance to Register for our Webinar!
Details down below

Transplant Ambassador Program (TAP) Webinar Series Presents 💚
What Every Patient Hoping for a Kidney Transplant Should Know
Ever heard of extended criteria or exceptional distribution kidneys? Learn more in this webinar.
Presentation by Dr. Christine Ribic, Nephrologist, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
Hear directly from a panel of patients as they share their personal transplant experiences.
Presented in partnership with the PKD Foundation of Canada.
When: Monday, May 11, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 PM EST
Where: Virtual webinar (online)
RSVP: [email protected] | 1-833-274-3740
Learn more: www.TransplantAmbassadors.ca | EndPKD.ca
View previous TAP webinars: https://transplantambassadors.ca/tap-webinar-series/

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339 Windermere Road
London, ON
N6A5A5

Website

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/renal-patient-and-donor-foundation/, https://

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