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Nicole got the call that could save her life on New Year’s Eve! After just five weeks on the transplant list, much sooner than anyone expected, a match was found. On January 1st, she and her wife Maryn traveled to Toronto for a double lung transplant. It was the most emotional way imaginable to end one year and begin the next.
On January 2nd, Nicole had her surgery — and she has exceeded every expectation. She is awake, her new lungs are functioning, and while she has a long road to recovery, the fact that everything went so well is an incredible sign for what’s ahead.
Hi, I’m Kylie, Nicole’s sister. I’m organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Nicole and Maryn as they face the fight of their lives.
Nicole has lived with interstitial lung disease (ILD) for six years. This progressive condition scars the lungs and makes even simple tasks exhausting. From the day she was diagnosed in law school, Nicole refused to let this illness define her. She has faced every setback with grit and grace.
This past year, her condition worsened dramatically. Nicole became oxygen-dependent for nearly everything she did. A transplant became her only chance at survival. She fought to stay strong through exercise, strict routines, and unwavering hope because that’s who Nicole is: a fighter.
Now, thanks to her incredible transplant team, Nicole has a future full of possibility. But recovery comes with enormous financial strain.
Nicole and Maryn have relocated to Toronto for at least the next four months. Nicole will be without income for at least 13 weeks, after which she hopes to qualify for disability insurance. Even then, her income will be significantly reduced, adding to the financial strain during recovery. Maryn will need to significantly reduce her work hours to support Nicole. They face:
- Relocation & housing: Patients must live near the transplant center—costs can exceed $10,000 in addition to existing mortgage payments and bills in Ottawa.
- Medications: Anti-rejection drugs cost $2,000–$4,000/month (some covered, deductibles apply).
- Living expenses: Parking ($14/day), food, and travel for support persons are not covered.
- Limited provincial funding: Ontario provides some reimbursement for accommodation, but the support does not cover the full cost of living in Toronto, and Nicole and Maryn must manage significant upfront expenses during recovery.
Your support helps Nicole and Maryn focus on healing, not bills.
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference. If you can’t give, sharing this page or keeping Nicole and Maryn in your thoughts means the world.
Thank you for supporting my sister Nicole and her wife Maryn during this challenging time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Nicole Hilliard
Beneficiary