I’ve been keeping a secret- and not the good kind.
I need another kidney.
Five years ago my cousin Christine saved my life by giving me a kidney.
Ive had an incredible five years- personally and professionally- working hard to shine a light on injustices, Sharing stories of redemption, recovery, and hope. I’ve produced/written/co-written / hosted 8 documentaries, directed my 1st documentary, produced several specials - some earned awards- some changed the way things are done- some exposed governmental injustices. None of this would have been possible without Christine.❤️
Last year- my new kidney failed. It didn’t reject- it failed- the consensus is that when i contracted COVID, it got to that kidney and stayed there.
I post smiling pictures , filming on location, enjoying rare moments with friends & family - what you don’t see is me hooked up to machine so that I can get my blood cleaned every other day.
I have a port in my chest-it isn’t always easy to conceal- I’ve had lots of complications. Last week, I had another minor surgery to replace the port for the 3rd time. My whole life revolves around dialysis- having enough time to do a session, making sure my blood pressure doesn’t crash (and it has- & it’s scary when it does), crippling cramps, trying hard to prevent infections and other very serious complications. I’m doing this at home- bc it’s the only way that allows me to continue working- and I can’t do it by myself.
It takes a massive toll on my partner. My family. My friends and even my dogs- although they don’t complain.
I need another kidney.
I am on the wait list- but odds are I will die before it’s my turn on the list Estimated wait time for an O kidney (universal donor) is 7 years. I need one much sooner.
My immediate family members have been ruled out. My partner is not a match. Paired donation works- but only if I can find a living O donor.
I need a miracle - an angel with O negative or positive blood. It’s a huge ask. But if I want to live, I have to stop hiding..
Links to more info are in the comments
I’d love the chance to keep living and loving and telling good stories.
With thanks and hope -
C
#livingdonor #kidneydisease
Finally got a chance to see the #greataction mural at the Queens Park TTC station.
Pretty pumped to be part of this amazing campaign that celebrates living organ donors & how their great actions leave a mark… essentially, another life.
Thanks @christinehodgkinson for being in this campaign with me… and you know, saving my life and stuff Xoxox
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#greatactions #greatactionsleaveamark #showyourscars #livingdonor #beadonor #lifeaftertransplant #kidney #toronto #ttc
💇♀️: @blo_lakeshorevillage
Waltzing around @indigo & look what I found! Thanks @chatelainemag for giving me the opportunity to share @christinehodgkinson & my #transplant journey- & thanks Christine, for being so brave and selfless, a real life hero, and ohhhh you know .... saving my life!!! 🙏❤️❤️❤️Also- big shout-out to @maureenhalushak for being so patient with all my drafts, & @carmencheungphoto for being patient w your non-pro models :) Link to article in my bio- & on newsstands now! #beadonor #kidneydisease #lifeaftertransplant #dialysis #showyourscars #livingdonor @uhntransplant@kidneyontario #toronto #torontolife. Hair: @blo_lakeshorevillage , @dju_blolakeshore
When your very first best friend- who you consider family- turns 4**, it’s time for a retrospective…
This woman is a beast- a fabulous friend, an amazing wife, an incredible mother and aunt, an inspiring executive… but before she was all that.. she was “Andrea the Girl”…
Love you gorgeous !
Happy birthday bud !
Happy International Women’s Day!
I had the honour an privilege of spending some time with some of Brampton’s own trailblazers- inspiring women who are changing the world, one step at a time.
Entrepreneurs. Community champions. Rock legends!
Big thank you to @leeaaron.music , Andrea Wilson, Addy Budhwar, Annie Bynoe, Dr. Ashley Sebastian, @rowenasantosbrampton and @navjitkaur.brar for sharing their stories, paving the way for so many others and showing what it truly means to #givetogain .
Thank you to @hair_by_meliss_a for supporting me today (and always) and for the fabulous blow out xoxo
#brampton #iwd #givetogain #womeninspiringwomen #iwd2026
Sometimes you just need to escape the frozen tundra of SW Ontario—- and Vancouver was the balmiest place in our fine country.
7C feels like 28C, when it’s -18 back home.
Quick trip to VanCity to celebrate @janehoworun ‘s 70th bday- half siblings’ trip, half girls’ trip, 100% fun.
Twinning w my niece, high tea in kitsalanto, obligatory Granville/Stanley Park walks, mountain “hikes” and comedy shows.
Thanks @littlegirl_bigcity & @how_to_run for being such great hosts! See you soon Vancouver!
#vancouver #famjam #familytrip #hightea #beautifulbc #lifeondialysis #canadá
When the snowfall is taller than your dog… but your little dog really wants to play outside…. @molly_n_otis
#canada #toronto #winterstorm #storm #stormageddon #havanese #winterdog #fail
Six months ago, I got the experience of a lifetime. Posting now because the special just aired!
We spent several days in the Alberta foothills with hundreds of cattle, seeing how cattle are “traditionally” cared for during the summer months— spoiler alert: this was not a glamorous gig (see sleeping accommodations- yes, I actually CAMPED!)
Cowboying is changing and we wanted to see what it looked like before technology and efficiencies took over. So grateful for Ken, Henry for their generosity of time and experitise… these gents took amazing care of us (and didn’t hold my 416 area code against me!)
Huge thanks to my amazing crew @maxlati & @noah_laycock who not only battled the weather, changing filming circumstances, slept out in the open skies w me and taught me about what you can/cant eat in the wilderness (Noah is a pro w berries!) but who threw everything that had into this project.. and Max even put up w a shoot day w my fave assistant, Molly 🐶❤️ !
We learned so much from @lllalberta and @plateaucattle about sustainable ranching , environmental stewardship and using technology (& DNA testing!) to raise the best cattle, in the best conditions.
Cowboying may be changing- but there are still bonafide cowboys out there.
You can check out “the last ride” on CityTv or follow the link in the comments.
#alberta #cowboy #foothills #cattle #ranch
*** NEW DOCUMENTARY ALERT***
He’s the son of a billionaire Russian mobster, he’s a PowerBall lottery winner, a father, twin, a trust fund kid- he’s also one of the biggest romance scammers in Toronto.
"VeraCity: My Fake Billionaire Boyfriend" premieres SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30, 10PM on @city_tv
#fraud #romancescam #fraudster #crime #toronto #canadá #scam #documentary #swindler #truecrime
In 2024, there were 67,611 people reported missing to police. Irma Galastica was one of them.
Most people are found within hours and days- Irma was not.
For several months, @tonyfera1 & I pounded the pavement, knocked on doors, tracked financial records, spoke with Irma’s family and friends, & immersed ourselves in the professional and personal dealings of Eric Carpenter- one of the last people to see her alive- in an attempt to find out what happened to the Toronto mom, who simply disappeared from Burlington in August 2024.
Irma was last seen at Eric Carpenter’s home in Burlington-since her disappearance, he left for Mexico, has lost one home to foreclosure, is in the process of losing another, has had several lawsuits filed against him, and considerable property repossessed
His family, friends & former colleagues say they haven’t heard from him in a year.
Check out the 3rd instalment of “CityNews Investigates: Missing Irma” (link in bio).
If you know anything about the disappearance of Irma- or the whereabouts of Eric Carpenter- please call Halton Police or CrimeStoppers- 1-888-222-TIPS
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#missing #missingwoman #unsolved #hamilton #burlington #irmagalastica #missingirma .
Irma Galastica has been missing for over a year- the Toronto mom was last seen on an acreage in Burlington- but her phone dropped a pin from an intersection 30 min away in rural Hamilton.
In today’s segment we detail the bread crumbs she left in the last few hours before she disappeared- including an uncovered video which shows exactly where she was, and who she was with.
Link to full series in bio.
#Missingwoman #missing #toronto #halton #irmagalastica #bringirmahome
She’s been missing for over a year- a 31 year old Toronto mother, last seen in North Burlington at a party. Over the next 4 days,, we comb through the evidence she left behind- secret videos, a man with significant financial problems who fled to Mexico, aborted 911 calls and frantic texts.
If you know anything about the disappearance of Irma Galastica- please call Halton Police.
The entire series is already online- link in bio
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/24/where-is-irma-galastica-an-investigation-into-the-whereabouts-of-a-missing-toronto-mother/
#missing #missingwoman #irmagalastica #crime #halton #toronto #canadá #unsolved
