LHSC transplant recipient, Kathleen Zavarise, has been inspired to live each day as if it is a gift; a chance to make a difference, to live with purpose, and honour the legacy of the unknown hero who saved her life.
April 17, 2025
A patient running out of time. Two transplant surgeons and an operating room team. Two donor organs. London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and a lifesaving kidney-liver transplant inspire new purpose and passion for one formidable woman.
The path to transplant
Kathleen Zavarise had been feeling unwell for a while. When bloodwork completed in September of 2021 came back normal, it seemed like no one could get to the bottom of what was going on. Just a few months later repeat bloodwork in December would provide a devastating answer; she was in end stage kidney and liver failure.
After a six-week inpatient stay in her home hospital, she was discharged to outpatient dialysis five times a week. At the same time, her physician made a referral to LHSC for consideration of transplant. She was very quickly connected to one of LHSC’s transplant coordinators, Amy Chambers, who recognized the severity of her situation. Following a full work up by the team, Kathleen was put on the transplant waiting list.
“For me, Amy was like a gift from a god,” recalls LHSC patient Kathleen Zavarise. “She was essential in moving the process along to get me to transplant as quickly as possible.”
Zavarise was still doing dialysis at her home-based facility and would travel to LHSC periodically for testing, including a brief admission to complete a larger volume of the needed testing. She was then back home, waiting for a call.
“I knew I was in good hands, but at the same time, I kept hearing I might not live long enough for a match to come up, so while I tried to stay positive, it was a very stressful time,” says Zavarise.
The call
The first call would come in February 2023, but it proved to be what is called a ‘dry run’, as the organs were ultimately determined to not be a good match. About a month after that, the call that would make the difference came through.
“I quickly found myself back at University Hospital and getting prepped for surgery,” says Zavarise. “I was so nervous because I was so sick at that point and had some other complications, but the confidence of the entire care team, and the constant support from my family and friends helped to put me at ease as I went into it. When I woke up from the surgery, I remember a feeling of shock; I was amazed I was awake, and this was happening.”
A kidney-liver transplant surgery is a complex medical procedure where both damaged organs are removed and replaced with healthy ones from a donor. Once in place, the new organs are connected to blood vessels and other parts of the body, and surgeons ensure everything is working correctly before finishing the surgery. Patients are closely monitored post-surgery to make sure the new organs are working and to check for any signs of rejection. Recipients will take medication for the rest of their lives to help prevent rejection and will also continue to receive ongoing care through regular follow up visits after they leave the hospital.
Recovery and a new path forward
After taking comfort in the presence of her family and friends, Zavarise began her journey to recovery. Once out of post-surgical care and on the multi-organ transplant inpatient unit, the team had her getting up and moving.
“At first I needed help to move my legs because I had so much water retention, and then little by little, with their patience, encouragement and support, the team had me up and about,” says Zavarise. “They instilled in me that walking was healing, and it’s something that’s stayed with me.”
Zavarise continues to receive ongoing post-transplant care through LHSC’s hepatology and regional renal programs.
“I see my liver team virtually every six months, and my kidney team in person every three,” notes Zavarise. “We have a great rapport and connection. If I ever have an issue, they are right on top of it. When I need something in between follow ups, I always get a call back, and they always take the time to explain everything. They’ve been fabulous, and I feel fortunate to have this quality of outpatient care.”
When the team asks what she’s been up to, Zavarise is always proud to share. Since her successful transplant she has become dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation and transplantation and supporting others in the transplant community. She is currently achieving this through her role as the Provincial Director for Ontario with the Canadian Transplant Association. She also inspires others by her commitment to living each day to the fullest and showing others what is possible post-transplant.
“Every day is a gift; a chance to make a difference, to live with purpose, and honour the legacy of the unknown hero who saved my life,” says Zavarise. “I’ve gone from someone who was so sick I couldn’t climb 14 steps upstairs in my home, to someone who completes the CN Tower stair climb, has gone skydiving, and has a gold medal from competing in the Canadian Transplant Games. I am proof that there really is no limit to what you can do when you are healthy, and there is not a day where I take that for granted.”
Inspiring others
“Without donors and their families, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do for patients today, nor would we be able to continue to make transformational advancements in care for the patients of tomorrow,” says Dr. Alp Sener, The Lavergne Chair & City-wide Head of Urology and Transplant Surgeon at LHSC. “We have so many positive recipient stories, like Kathleen’s, and our hope is that through sharing them, we can inspire others to register to become an organ donor. Together, we can make a difference for the thousands of people who are waiting for their lifesaving opportunity.”
At any given moment in Ontario, there are approximately 1,400 people waiting for an organ, while thousands more are in need of a tissue donation. Ontarians are six times more likely to need an organ transplant than to become a donor, and together we can change this statistic. For more information about organ donation and to register your consent to be a donor through Service Ontario, please visit Be A Donor.
For more information about LHSC’s internationally renowned Multi-Organ Transplant Program, whose research, clinical innovation, and expertise continue to improve patient outcomes, please visit our website.
Kathleen's post-transplant bucket list pics
Take a peek into some of Kathleen's post-transplant activities!
