Life is defined by moments and events. Moments that transform how we view the world, define our priorities, and test our strength. Shelby Gielen clearly remembers the day her life changed. The second of four children, Shelby enjoyed an active lifestyle, and was busy preparing for a provincial swimming competition when she was struck with...
Once viewed as a last resort for individuals living with organ failure, transplantation is rapidly becoming the preferred treatment of choice for a variety of diseases. There has been a transformational shift in thinking about what constitutes post-transplant success with more attention than ever being given to quality of life. Dr. Tom Blydt-Hansen knows transplantation...
It is often said if you want an honest appraisal of a situation, ask a child. You are likely to receive an answer that does not underscore nor overstate reality. For eight-year-old liver transplant recipient Ian Sewell, this is especially accurate, “Transplant lets you be with your family. It is hard sometimes and hurts sometimes....
With a movement towards greater patient engagement in Canadian research, it has become even more important to involve our transplant community in the research we fund. One key way we endeavour to do this is by sharing updates on our funded projects with our community at our annual Celebrate Transplant Research event. This September marked...
The leaves are changing colour, kids are back to school and everyone has a pumpkin spice latte in hand. It is that unmistakable time of year – fall has arrived. At TRF we are taking a moment to reflect on the exciting and productive spring and summer we have had on the research front and...
The unique bond that characterises Adam Fine and Anthony Eden’s friendship dates back over two decades to when the two men were in elementary school. As is often the case, their lives took them in different directions upon graduation from university. Anthony pursued a career in law and went on to become a successful lawyer...
When the Canadian Transplant Games were in Vancouver this July, transplant recipients from all over Canada came to participate. Everyone had their own reason for attending but the gratitude for a second chance at life was clearly shared by everyone in attendance. This gratitude was multidimensional. Caregivers and supporters came to cheer on their loved...
At just 41 years-old, Darvy Culleton has lived a life few people could imagine. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at a very young age, Darvy always knew he was living on borrowed time. Without a lung transplant, CF would claim his life before he turned 30 years-old. Every breath was a struggle, walking was near...
She may not have a cape or be able to fly, but Lindsay Ma’s superpower is being able to survive and persevere through unimaginable adversity. At just 21 years old, Lindsay was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle thickens. Over the next seven years Lindsay required three different defibrillators, a small...