Amin’s Story: A Life Saved by the System He Helped Build
Amin was living the life he had always envisioned—healthy, active, surrounded by a beautiful family, and deeply fulfilled by his work. As the former Chief Information Officer at Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), he helped build the very systems that support Ontario’s organ and tissue donation registry. It was his dream job, and he loved every moment of it.
Of Indian heritage, Amin was born in Africa and raised in Canada. He spent his career serving the people of Ontario through various roles in government and led a healthy lifestyle. Amin worked out daily and took pride in staying fit—especially knowing the health challenges some of his relatives had faced.
But in September 2024, everything changed.
After returning from a work trip to Saskatchewan, Amin went straight to bed. The next morning, his wife noticed something alarming: his skin and eyes were a vivid yellow. “Highlighter yellow,” Amin recalls. “I took a selfie and didn’t recognize myself.”
Amin was hospitalized, and blood tests revealed severe liver damage. A biopsy showed that 30% of his liver was no longer functioning. Steroids didn’t help, and his condition deteriorated rapidly. Within weeks, he was placed on the transplant waitlist.
On the night of his birthday, Amin was rushed by ambulance from Scarborough Health Network (SHN) to University Health Network (UHN). “They were so kind. They even wished me a happy birthday,” he remembers. For two weeks, he underwent daily bloodwork and monitoring. His brother began testing to become a living donor, but time was running out.
Then, Amin received life-changing news—a match was found with a deceased donor. Amin was taken into surgery. “I said goodbye to my wife and younger daughter,” unsure if he’d ever see his family again. But he was reassured knowing he was in the capable hands of the transplant surgeons.
The operation lasted 10 hours and was successful. Recovery was swift thanks to Amin’s pre-transplant fitness. He was discharged just five days later, but it wasn’t without difficulty.
The emotional toll was immense. “I cried almost every day for the first couple of months.” Despite the challenges, Amin’s resilience shone through. He returned to work within a month post-transplant and was flying to Regina again by month four. Today, he works out daily, goes wall climbing every weekend, and has embraced meditation and stretching.
“I respect life even more now. I’ve always been grateful, but this experience deepened it.”
Amin was born into the Ismaili Muslim faith, and although he’s not actively practicing, he still values the deep sense of belonging and support his community provides. His family and extended network rallied around him. Friends showed up in ways big and small. “Everyone’s contribution is part of why I’m standing here today,” he says.
Amin is passionate about dispelling myths around organ and tissue donation, especially within multicultural communities. “My mother-in-law worried that if I was a registered donor, doctors might not work as hard to save me,” he recalls. “But that’s simply not true. That’s not Canada. That’s not Ontario. We’re fortunate to live in a place where equity is built into the healthcare system. UHN was first-class. SHN, TGLN, OHIP—everyone did their part.”
He wants his community to know the donation process is deeply respectful, and the system is designed to protect and care for every patient. “I preach where I can: Even as you’re dying, you can do good.”
What makes Amin’s story even more powerful is the full-circle moment: the donor who saved his life likely registered through the very system Amin helped build. As he approaches the one-year anniversary of his transplant, Amin reflects on the fragility of life and the strength of the system that saved him. “I needed help, and the system was there for me. I’m still surprised I was almost not here.”
“Ultimately, I’m so grateful to my donor. My life is even better than it was, despite this weird scar—but I’m proud of it.”
Amin’s message is clear: organ and tissue donation works. And he’s living proof.