Transplant Ambassador Program

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

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: webinarregistration@transplantambassadors.ca | 1-833-274-3740
Learn more: www.TransplantAmbassadors.ca | EndPKD.ca
View previous TAP webinars: https://transplantambassadors.ca/tap-webinar-series/

05/09/2026

🔈 Spotlight: Alex Gorouvein

We are proud to recognize our ambassador, Alex Gorouvein, who is from Richmond Hill, Ontario. He was diagnosed with kidney failure due to polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and received a kidney in October 2024 after 10 years on hemodialysis.

Alex says, “talking with transplant ambassadors really encouraged me and helped me make the decision [to proceed with transplant]. I would now like to help other people who are considering a transplant. I want to give back to the community.”
Alex speaks English and Russian and is happy to be of help to others, particularly those looking for insight into the home hemodialysis experience.

Alex Gorouvein is an Ambassador for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
He will be speaking at the upcoming TAP Webinar on May 11th, 2026.
Click here to register: webinarregistration@transplantambassadors.ca or call 1-833-274-3740

Learn more about Alex and his transplant journey, check out the video links below!
📽️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_4VlT7OSSQ

Thank you, Alex, for sharing your story and helping others on their transplant journey feel supported, understood, and inspired. 🌟

We also extend a special thank you to the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for all the incredible work they do.

More Information and Links👇
Alex Gorouvein Ambassador Email: alexg@transplantambassadors.ca
Alex Gorouvein Ambassador Directory: https://transplantambassadors.ca/?s=Alex+G&post_type=ambassadors
Alex Gorouvein Ambassador Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_4VlT7OSSQ

Transplant Ambassador Program Website: transplantambassadors.ca
TAP Webinar RSVP at:
Email: webinarregistration@transplantambassadors.ca or call 1-833-274-3740

05/08/2026

🔈 Spotlight: Ruksha Fernando
We are pleased to recognize one of our new ambassadors, Ruksha Fernando, who is from Ottawa, Ontario. She received a kidney in 2021 after 1.5 years on peritoneal dialysis, after a friend entered the Kidney Paired Donation Program.

She says, “Being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and going through dialysis was a very difficult time in my life. I was isolated due to COVID, and I didn’t know anyone that had gone through this journey to ask questions” 💬

Ruksha speaks English and Sinhala and is happy to be of help to others, particularly those who are looking for support but are not sure where to start. 💚

Ruksha Serves as an Ambassador for The Ottawa Hospital.
Learn More about Ruksha and her transplant journey, check out the video link below!
📽️ https://youtu.be/4AZgMoogbew

For more information about the Paired Donation Program:
Kidney Paired Donation Program

Thank you, Ruksha, for sharing your story and paying it forward to guide those starting their transplant journey. 🌟
We also extend a special thank you to The Ottawa Hospital for all the incredible work they do.

More Information and Links👇
Ruksha Fernando Ambassador Email: ruksha@transplantambassadors.ca
Ruksha Fernando Journey, YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/4AZgMoogbew
Transplant Ambassador Program Website: transplantambassadors.ca
Paired Donation Program link: Kidney Paired Donation Program

05/07/2026

Two Gals and a Kidney Season 1 is officially a wrap 🎙️✨

This season has been filled with powerful stories, real conversations, and voices that remind us why organ donation matters 💚
Each episode features kidney donors, recipients, researchers, healthcare providers, patient advocates, and global experts. You won’t want to miss it!

If you haven’t tuned in yet, now’s your chance to catch up on all episodes 👇
🎧 Listen: https://transplantambassadors.ca/podcast/
▶️ Watch: https://www.youtube.com/

Make sure to join our email list to be the first to hear what’s coming next 👀
Season 2 is coming this fall 🍂

Thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of this community. We couldn’t have done it without you 💚

Explore more: https://transplantambassadors.ca/

05/06/2026

Thank you to TAP Ambassadors Christine Pisapia, Megan Thomas, and John Chow for representing us at the May 1st, 2026 Transplant Education Event at Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto East Health Network and helping raise awareness about the importance of Kidney Donation and Transplantation. 💚

To learn more about the Transplant Ambassador Program and how you can get involved, visit our website:
https://transplantambassadors.ca/

05/04/2026

Brave Patient Seeking Donor, Judith

Judith is from Calgary, Alberta, and is currently on dialysis and actively seeking a kidney transplant. She is a writer, sister, and wife who enjoys dogs, mystery novels, afternoon tea, and hiking in the wilderness. Judith is hoping for a living kidney donor so she can continue living a full and meaningful life surrounded by the things she loves.

Learn more about Judith’s Story: https://transplantambassadors.ca/patient/judith-m/
Judith’s Instagram/Facebook:

Hear her story on iHeart podcasts, titled: The kidney transplant waiting game.
Link: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/553-white-coat-black-art-57409941/episode/encore-the-kidney-transplant-waiting-game-288263855/

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

Every share is an act of advocacy. Helping bring visibility to those waiting, encouraging conversations about living donation, and building a community that can change outcomes
for patients 💚

05/02/2026

Don't forget 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: webinarregistration@transplantambassadors.ca | 1-833-274-3740
Learn more: www.TransplantAmbassadors.ca | EndPKD.ca
View previous TAP webinars: https://transplantambassadors.ca/tap-webinar-series/

04/28/2026

Two Gals & a Kidney Podcast
New Episode Out Now! 🎙️

Tap in for a compelling and eye-opening conversation with special guest Dawn Richards.

In this episode, the Gals speak with Dawn Richards, PhD, about her pioneering work as an 'accidental advocate', leveraging her own health experiences to help other patients, and charting a path forward for new, more meaningful ways to engage patient partners in research.

Don’t miss out on this powerful conversation!

🔗 Listen now:
https://transplantambassadors.ca/podcast/

https://2galskidneypodcast.ca

04/27/2026

Brave Patient Seeking Donor, Krista

Krista is from South Huron, Ontario, and is currently on dialysis while actively seeking a kidney transplant. She is a devoted wife, animal lover, and human resources professional who finds joy in helping others, spending time with family and friends, gardening, and practicing yoga. Despite being in what she feels is the prime of her life, Krista is facing kidney failure with strength and determination, and hopes a living donor will help her return to the life she loves.

Read more about Krista’s story on the TAP website: https://transplantambassadors.ca/patient/kristam/

Learn more about Krista’s story directly: https://kidney4krista.com

Watch Krista’s story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8mgP-q4N64

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

By sharing Krista’s story, you’re helping spread hope and increasing the chance that the right donor will come forward 💚


Nkdo Canada

04/24/2026

CityNews recent feature with patient partner Lisa Caswell. Thank you for your ongoing advocacy and support of the kidney patient community. 💚

Rhianne Campbell has the call for more government funding and greater attention to living Kidney donor transplants.