This four-part documentary series first aired on Knowledge Network in November 2024 and was rebroadcasted in April 2025 for Organ Donation Awareness Month. We caught up with a few familiar faces from the show.
How are you feeling?
I am doing really well. It's an incredible feeling getting my life back to normal. The recovery process has been longer than I thought with many ups and downs. I experienced a few minor rejection periods with some infections, so I was monitored quite closely for the first year. I had regular blood work every two weeks and periods of up to four times per week, and now I have transitioned to once a month. I am very happy to have my life back and am currently in the process of creating a back to work program with my employer.
What does a day in your life look like now?
On the days my daughter is in daycare, I like to do woodwork projects in my shop, work on my house, do yard work and go for bike rides with our dog Hudson.
On weekends, my family and I like to get out in the trails on our mountain bikes, play in our yard and visit with family and friends.
How have things changed since filming? Are you able to do things now, that you couldn't do before?
My life has improved immensely since the filming of Transplant Stories. I was quite ill when our daughter Georgia was born, so I've always felt like I wasn't capable of being the father and husband I wanted to be. Since my transplant I am now able to be more hands-on with the regular day-to-day things, but also have the energy to be the fun dad I've always dreamed of being.
What does organ donation mean to you?
It's difficult to put into words the impact organ donation has had on my life.
I was diagnosed with PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis) in 2013. We learned that this disease has no cure, and in 2021, my health rapidly declined and was told a liver transplant was the only option. I had been forced off work and we started the process to get on the transplant list.
I am a very active and social person and as my health declined, I began to lose who I was and I felt like my disease became my new identity. Through organ donation, I have been given a second chance at life. I am so grateful for my organ donor and this incredible gift.
Nicole shares that she and Danny are both in perfect health. "We are so grateful to have this time together and to see Danny looking and feeling so good. It's incredible," she adds.
Their family was cleared to travel outside of Canada and the US in the winter and they went to Mexico, which was a family goal once Daniel was in the clear. He has also been able to return to playing soccer in a men's league and both Daniel and Nicole went back to work and resumed all normal activities within a few months post-surgery.
"We're planning lots of travel in the next few years and we are looking forward to a wonderful summer on the coast. Daniel and our 10-year-old son are both huge soccer fans and Danny loves traveling with him to all of his games and practices. Everything has been great ever since," shares Nicole.
How are you feeling? What does a day in your life look like now?
Even though my cornea transplant didn't improve my vision, I am not in any pain. I don't have any light perception now but have become accustomed to my new normal. A typical day for me starts with a cup of coffee in the morning. I then go to work where I help other people with vision loss learn how to use assistive technology to achieve their individual goals. When I'm not at work, I'm spending time with friends and family.
How have things changed since filming? Are you able to do things now, that you couldn't do before?
A few months after surgery, I lost all remaining light perception. At first, I hesitated to use public transit independently. However, with some professional mobility training, I have been able to navigate public transit independently again.
What does organ donation mean to you?
In my case, the chance to have a cornea transplant gave me hope. Even though I didn't know how things were going to work out, I felt it was worth a try. I am grateful I had this opportunity to experience something which does indeed help many people regain their vision.
Angela is looking forward to celebrating her two-year heart anniversary in May and seeing her care team for her follow-up appointment at St. Paul's Hospital.
"I'm getting so much of my energy back and am excited for everything that life has for me in the future. I'm so blessed and so grateful to my organ donor – the transplant changed the way I see everything. Now I'm much more grateful for even a walk through the forest," Angela shares.
She is funneling this energy into supporting other people who have gone through similar hardships in life and trying to find the way back to themselves. Angela has set up a free community network called Create Heal Shine, with a focus on turning your pain into your purpose.
"The way I see life has changed. Before the transplant, life was about hustling and grinding. Now I focus on aligning with who I truly am, doing gentle exercises such as yoga, snowshoeing with a friend or walking through the forest with my dog," she says.
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The four-part series Transplant Stories is available to stream for free online on Knowledge Network. You can also catch all the extra web content online.
Learn more about how you can potentially save a life at 7facts.ca and when you're ready, register your decision in B.C.'s Organ Donor Registry at registeryourdecision.ca.
