Peggy was relatively healthy most of her life, with no major health concerns or regular medications.

In the summer of 2024 she travelled to Copenhagen to visit her newest grandchild. Her daughter Heather immediately noticed something was wrong. Jaundice, lethargy, confusion and swollen abdomen all quickly worsened within 2 days of arriving.

On a Friday night at 10:30 pm, Heather called emergency services and Peggy went straight to acute care. The diagnosis was advanced cirrhosis leading to liver failure. Doctors told them to prepare for the worst.

Over a two-week stay, she was given blood transfusions, medications, and had her abdomen drained of 6.3 litres of fluid!

Once stable enough to fly back to Canada she was admitted to Niagara General Hospital. She was readmitted several times this past year (14 weeks total) with life-threatening symptoms.

There, she met Dr. Z. Hindi, a wonderful gastroenterologist. He found evidence of Wilson’s disease, a rare hereditary condition where copper levels build up in several organs, especially the liver, brain and eyes. Most people with Wilson's disease are diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 35, but older people can be affected too. Treatment was started and luckily after transplant, the disease is cured

Finally, in March 2025, she was relatively stable and put on the wait list for a donor liver. Her children created a Facebook page with a plea for people to apply to be a living donor. It was shared and promoted many, many times, and they were thrilled to see friends, family members and even strangers apply!

Many patients wait months and years for a match, some sadly succumbing before finding a donor. So everyone was thrilled when just two months later, Peggy’s caring and generous friend Miaco was found to be a viable match!

Surgery took place July 2nd, 2025 at Toronto General Hospital. Everything went according to plan under the expert transplant team. Both Peggy and Miaco are recovering well after six weeks

Over this past year, Peggy has also been diagnosed with cataracts and Celiac disease.

While she is hesitant to ask for help, Peggy has been unable to work during her illness and recovery is expected to take a full year. On top of this she has had new expenses including medications, supplements, the premium price of gluten-free items, adaptive devices for her home, etc.

Peggy and her family are so very grateful for all the love and support received through this past year, for amazing health care and of course to Miaco for her selfless gift, giving Peggy a second chance at life. To anyone who can consider helping financially, or sharing this, we are immensely appreciative. Please only donate if it’s easy for you. This can help give Peggy peace of mind as she recovers and develops a plan to return to work.

Thank you all for your love and support ❤