Transplant Ambassador Program

Kidney Transplant Education Night | June 1st 2026 💚

We were pleased to take part in Kidney Transplant Education Night held at William Osler Health System in Brampton.

A special thank you to our TAP Ambassadors:

Ana Velarde
Ricardo Ramirez

Ricardo presented to a large group of kidney patients and their families and also supported an information booth throughout the evening. Both ambassadors shared their lived experiences as kidney recipients and living donors, helping to provide education, support, and hope to those navigating the transplant journey.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a meaningful evening of learning and connection. 💚

Learn more about the Transplant Ambassador Program: https://transplantambassadors.ca/

🔈Pleins feux sur : Serge Pisapia

Nous sommes ravis de mettre en lumière notre ambassadeur pour la transplantation, Serge Pisapia, originaire de Montréal, au Québec. Atteint de la maladie de Berger (ou néphropathie à IgA) en 1988, Serge a subi une néphrectomie en 2011 en raison d'un cancer. Il a reçu un rein de sa sœur, Christine Pisapia, en 2014, après trois ans de dialyse péritonéale. 💚

Serge confie : “Je souhaite partager mon expérience avec les patients afin de les rassurer quant à une éventuelle transplantation. ” 💬

Serge est avocat, médiateur et arbitre. Dans ses temps libres, il pratique le ski de fond et la randonnée. Il parle couramment français, anglais et italien. Il soutient et met en relation des personnes issues des trois communautés, contribuant ainsi à améliorer l'accessibilité au sein de la communauté PAT.

Serge est ambassadeur au Centre universitaire de santé McGill à Montréal. Il a récemment contribué à implanter le Programme des ambassadeurs de la transplantation (PAT) au Québec, avec sa sœur Christine. 💚
Découvrez le parcours de Serge ici : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DejJTVP6_P0

Lisez-en plus sur le Programme des ambassadeurs de la transplantation au Québec : Un frère et une sœur contribuent à l’implantation du Programme des ambassadeurs de la transplantation au Québec – Réseau Can-SOLVE CKD.

Regardez l’entrevue télévisée de Serge : ”Un don” : Des Montréalais partagent des témoignages sur le don d’organes durant la semaine de sensibilisation – CityNews Montréal.

Écoutez l’entrevue de Serge Pisapia à l’émission Pénélope à la radio de Radio-Canada : Une conversation sur le don de rein entre frères et sœurs, la transplantation et le bien-être après une greffe. Mercredi 20 mai 2026 : Le don d’un rein au sein d’une fratrie, et les recettes culinaires du moment | OHdio | Radio-Canada

Merci, Serge, d’avoir partagé ton inspirant parcours de transplantation et d’avoir contribué à l’expansion du Programme des ambassadeurs de la transplantation au Québec. Ton engagement continue de sensibiliser la population, d’inspirer l’espoir et de soutenir les patients et leurs familles partout au Canada. 🌟

Nous tenons également à remercier tout particulièrement le Centre universitaire de santé McGill pour son travail exceptionnel.

Plus d'informations 👇
Courriel de l'ambassadeur Serge Pisapia : [email protected]
Répertoire des ambassadeurs Serge Pisapia : https://transplantambassadors.ca/?s=Serge&post_type=ambassadors
Apprenez-en plus sur nos ambassadeurs : https://transplantambassadors.ca/

🔈Spotlight: Serge Pisapia

We are delighted to recognize our Transplant Ambassador, Serge Pisapia, who is from Montreal, Quebec. Serge was diagnosed with Berger’s disease, also known as IgA nephropathy, in 1988 and had a kidney removed in 2011 due to cancer. He received a kidney from his sister, Christine Pisapia in 2014, after 3 years on peritoneal dialysis.💚

Serge shares: “I would like to share my experience with patients in order to relieve them of any anxieties which they might have in relation to a potential transplant.” 💬

Serge is a lawyer, mediator, and arbitrator. In his spare time, he enjoys cross-country skiing and trekking. Serge is fluent in French, English, and Italian. He supports and connects with individuals across all three communities, helping create greater accessibility within the TAP community.

Serge serves as an ambassador at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal.
He recently helped to bring the Transplant Ambassador Program to Quebec, along with his sister Christine. 💚
Learn more about Serge’s journey here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DejJTVP6_P0

Read more about TAP in Quebec: Brother–sister duo helps bring Transplant Ambassador Program to Quebec – Can-SOLVE CKD Network

Watch Serge’s TV interview: “A gift”: Montrealers share stories of organ donations during awareness week – CityNews Montreal

Listen to Serge Pisapia’s interview on the Pénélope show on the radio of Radio-Canada: A conversation about sibling kidney donation, transplantation, and living well after transplant.
Mercredi 20 mai 2026 : Le don d’un rein au sein d’une fratrie, et les recettes culinaires du moment | OHdio | Radio-Canada

Thank you, Serge, for sharing your inspiring transplant journey and for helping expand the Transplant Ambassador Program into Quebec. Your advocacy continues to raise awareness, inspire hope, and support patients and families across Canada. 🌟

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

More Information👇
Serge Pisapia Ambassador Email: [email protected]
Serge Pisapia Ambassador Directory: https://transplantambassadors.ca/?s=Serge&post_type=ambassadors
Learn more about our Ambassadors: https://transplantambassadors.ca/

🔈Pleins feux sur : Serge

Nous sommes ravis de mettre en lumière notre ambassadeur pour la transplantation, Serge Pisapia, originaire de Montréal, au Québec. Atteint de la maladie de Berger (ou néphropathie à IgA) en 1988, Serge a subi une néphrectomie en 2011 en raison d'un cancer. Il a reçu un rein de sa sœur, Christine Pisapia, en 2014, après trois ans de dialyse péritonéale. 💚

Serge confie : “Je souhaite partager mon expérience avec les patients afin de les rassurer quant à une éventuelle transplantation. ” 💬

Serge est avocat, médiateur et arbitre. Dans ses temps libres, il pratique le ski de fond et la randonnée. Il parle couramment français, anglais et italien. Il soutient et met en relation des personnes issues des trois communautés, contribuant ainsi à améliorer l'accessibilité au sein de la communauté PAT.

Serge est ambassadeur au Centre universitaire de santé McGill à Montréal. Il a récemment contribué à implanter le Programme des ambassadeurs de la transplantation (PAT) au Québec, avec sa sœur Christine. 💚

Découvrez le parcours de Serge ici : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DejJTVP6_P0
Lisez-en plus sur le Programme des ambassadeurs de la transplantation au Québec : Un frère et une sœur contribuent à l’implantation du Programme des ambassadeurs de la transplantation au Québec – Réseau Can-SOLVE CKD. https://cansolveckd.ca/network_updates/brother-sister-duo-helps-bring-transplant-ambassador-program-to-quebec/

Regardez l’entrevue télévisée de Serge : ”Un don” : Des Montréalais partagent des témoignages sur le don d’organes durant la semaine de sensibilisation – CityNews Montréal. https://montreal.citynews.ca/2026/04/24/montrealers-organ-donations-awareness-week/

Écoutez l’entrevue de Serge Pisapia à l’émission Pénélope à la radio de Radio-Canada : Une conversation sur le don de rein entre frères et sœurs, la transplantation et le bien-être après une greffe. Mercredi 20 mai 2026 : Le don d’un rein au sein d’une fratrie, et les recettes culinaires du moment | OHdio | Radio-Canada

Merci, Serge, d’avoir partagé ton inspirant parcours de transplantation et d’avoir contribué à l’expansion du Programme des ambassadeurs de la transplantation au Québec. Ton engagement continue de sensibiliser la population, d’inspirer l’espoir et de soutenir les patients et leurs familles partout au Canada. 🌟

Nous tenons également à remercier tout particulièrement le Centre universitaire de santé McGill pour son travail exceptionnel.

Plus d'informations 👇
Courriel de l'ambassadeur Serge Pisapia : [email protected]

Répertoire des ambassadeurs Serge Pisapia : https://transplantambassadors.ca/?s=Serge&post_type=ambassadors

Apprenez-en plus sur nos ambassadeurs : https://transplantambassadors.ca/

🔈Spotlight: Serge

We are delighted to recognize our Transplant Ambassador, Serge Pisapia, who is from Montreal, Quebec. Serge was diagnosed with Berger’s disease, also known as IgA nephropathy, in 1988 and had a kidney removed in 2011 due to cancer. He received a kidney from his sister, Christine Pisapia in 2014, after 3 years on peritoneal dialysis.💚

Serge shares: “I would like to share my experience with patients in order to relieve them of any anxieties which they might have in relation to a potential transplant.” 💬

Serge is a lawyer, mediator, and arbitrator. In his spare time, he enjoys cross-country skiing and trekking. Serge is fluent in French, English, and Italian. He supports and connects with individuals across all three communities, helping create greater accessibility within the TAP community.

Serge serves as an ambassador at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal.
He recently helped to bring the Transplant Ambassador Program to Quebec, along with his sister Christine. 💚

Learn more about Serge’s journey here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DejJTVP6_P0

Read more about TAP in Quebec: Brother–sister duo helps bring Transplant Ambassador Program to Quebec – Can-SOLVE CKD Network
https://cansolveckd.ca/network_updates/brother-sister-duo-helps-bring-transplant-ambassador-program-to-quebec/

Watch Serge’s TV interview: “A gift”: Montrealers share stories of organ donations during awareness week – CityNews Montreal
https://montreal.citynews.ca/2026/04/24/montrealers-organ-donations-awareness-week/

Listen to Serge Pisapia’s interview on the Pénélope show on the radio of Radio-Canada: A conversation about sibling kidney donation, transplantation, and living well after transplant.
Mercredi 20 mai 2026 : Le don d’un rein au sein d’une fratrie, et les recettes culinaires du moment | OHdio | Radio-Canada

Thank you, Serge, for sharing your inspiring transplant journey and for helping expand the Transplant Ambassador Program into Quebec. Your advocacy continues to raise awareness, inspire hope, and support patients and families across Canada. 🌟
We also extend a special thank you to the McGill University Health Centre for all the incredible work they do.

More Information👇
Serge Pisapia Ambassador Email: [email protected]
Serge Pisapia Ambassador Directory: https://transplantambassadors.ca/?s=Serge&post_type=ambassadors
Learn more about our Ambassadors: https://transplantambassadors.ca/

🔈Spotlight: Serge

We are delighted to recognize our Transplant Ambassador, Serge Pisapia, who is from Montreal, Quebec. Serge was diagnosed with Berger’s disease, also known as IgA nephropathy, in 1988 and had a kidney removed in 2011 due to cancer. He received a kidney from his sister, Christine Pisapia in 2014, after 3 years on peritoneal dialysis.💚

Serge shares: “I would like to share my experience with patients in order to relieve them of any anxieties which they might have in relation to a potential transplant.” 💬

Serge is a lawyer, mediator, and arbitrator. In his spare time, he enjoys cross-country skiing and trekking. Serge is fluent in French, English, and Italian. He supports and connects with individuals across all three communities, helping create greater accessibility within the TAP community.

Serge serves as an ambassador at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal.
He recently helped to bring the Transplant Ambassador Program to Quebec, along with his sister Christine. 💚

Learn more about Serge’s journey here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DejJTVP6_P0

Read more about TAP in Quebec: Brother–sister duo helps bring Transplant Ambassador Program to Quebec – Can-SOLVE CKD Network
https://cansolveckd.ca/network_updates/brother-sister-duo-helps-bring-transplant-ambassador-program-to-quebec/

Watch Serge’s TV interview: “A gift”: Montrealers share stories of organ donations during awareness week – CityNews Montreal
https://montreal.citynews.ca/2026/04/24/montrealers-organ-donations-awareness-week/

Listen to Serge Pisapia’s interview on the Pénélope show on the radio of Radio-Canada: A conversation about sibling kidney donation, transplantation, and living well after transplant.
Mercredi 20 mai 2026 : Le don d’un rein au sein d’une fratrie, et les recettes culinaires du moment | OHdio | Radio-Canada

Thank you, Serge, for sharing your inspiring transplant journey and for helping expand the Transplant Ambassador Program into Quebec. Your advocacy continues to raise awareness, inspire hope, and support patients and families across Canada. 🌟

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

More Information👇
Serge Pisapia Ambassador Email: [email protected]

Serge Pisapia Ambassador Directory: https://transplantambassadors.ca/?s=Serge&post_type=ambassadors

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

Missed the Live Webinar? Watch the Recording Now! 🎥

TAP and UHN Presents: TAP Webinar

Gracious Acceptance: A successful search for a kidney donor includes understanding the real risk of living kidney donation.

Presentation by Istvan Mucsi, Transplant Nephrologist at University Health Network (UHN), alongside the Transplant Ambassadors.

👉 Full webinar recording here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0FE7PaxfN4

💡 Catch up on all of our past webinars on the TAP website:
https://transplantambassadors.ca/tap-webinar-series/

Brave Patient Seeking Donor, Janesh

Hi everyone,

My name is Janesh, I reside in Toronto, Ontario. I am a husband, a father, and someone who believes that with the right people around you, anything is possible. Today, I need these people more than ever.

I have advanced-stage kidney disease from my Polycystic Kidney Disease. I am searching for a living kidney donor.

A living donor can help me regain my health, bring stability back to my family, let me be present for my children as they grow up, and allow me to enjoy life. This would mean everything to me.

If you have ever considered living kidney donation — or know someone who has — I would be so grateful if you reached out. In Canada, donors do not incur any costs related to the donation. In fact, many donors return to normal life quickly and go on to live long, healthy lives.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🩵

📍 Toronto, Ontario | Blood type: A (Compatible with A, O or AB)
📧 [email protected]

Learn more about Janesh’s Story: https://transplantambassadors.ca/patient/janesh/
Learn more about living kidney donation:
https://www.blood.ca/en/organs-tissues/living-donation
TAP Website: https://transplantambassadors.ca/

Patient Stories - Transplant Ambassador Program

🔈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.

📽️ 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'opportunité de participer à l'émission ‘Pénélope’ de Pénélope McQuade, diffusée sur les ondes de CBC/Radio-Canada à Montréal, 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 particulièrement 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 à Pénélope McQuade et à son équipe d'avoir créé cet espace d'échange et d'avoir contribué à sensibiliser d’avantage les personnes atteintes d’insuffisance rénale et ceux qui pourraient les aider en leur donnant un rein. Chaque témoignage est une source d'espoir, de compréhension et de solidarité. 💚

🎧 Écoutez l'intégralité de la conversation et découvrez vous-même ces témoignages 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/