Emma didn’t see herself as brave — she simply saw a problem and knew she could help.At 79 years old, Emma became a living kidney donor for her husband after he began dialysis. But the path to donation wasn’t straightforward. After initially being turned away during her first evaluation due to concerns about blood sugar levels, Emma refused to give up. She advocated for herself, gathered medical evidence from her family doctor, and wrote a heartfelt letter asking for a second chance to be assessed.That persistence led her to the Toronto General Hospital Living Donor Program, where she was ultimately approved to donate.In this episode, Emma shares the deeply personal journey of advocating for herself, navigating the evaluation process, and donating a kidney to the person she has spent her life with. She reflects on why she never felt fear about the surgery, how dialysis affected their lives together, and why she believes more people should consider living donation — regardless of age.Now recovering just weeks after surgery, Emma is already looking ahead to what matters most: more time together, traveling again, and enjoying the life they’ve built side by side.Her message is simple but powerful: if you are healthy and willing to help, one kidney can change someone’s life.Links and ResourcesLearn 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.aspxKidney 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 [email protected]. 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.