Spotlight
Elaine — A Life of Strength, Love & Meaning
Elaine is more than a survivor — she is a quiet warrior. Living with Type 1 Diabetes since childhood, her life has been shaped by challenges most of us could never imagine: total blindness, multiple organ failure, countless hospital stays, serious injuries, and even the loss of her home in a fire. And yet, through it all, she has remained full of grace, light, and humility. She was also one of the first people in Canada to receive both a kidney and pancreas transplant — a gift that gave her years she may not have otherwise had. Years filled with love, family, and moments that truly mattered. Last Christmas, her journey took another difficult turn. Her transplanted kidney and pancreas are now failing, and she is living with congestive heart failure. With incredible courage and clarity, Elaine has entered palliative care. Choosing a peaceful and dignified end, on her own terms. The MAID application will be submitted by her team when needed
But this story is not about endings.
It’s about how she is choosing to live.
Together with her niece Emily, Elaine set out on a deeply meaningful bucket list road trip — a celebration of life while she is still here. Each day begins with a handwritten letter, part poem, part plan for the day ahead. And each day is filled with presence, love, and intentional moments that turn into lasting memories. What makes this journey even more special is the kindness of others. From small gestures to meaningful acts of generosity, people have come together to make this experience unforgettable. Elaine has been so touched by this outpouring of love that she chose a special piece of artwork where she is writing the names of everyone who has been part of her journey — a forever reminder of the goodness that exists in the world.
In her own words:
“Sometimes in life, there are experiences that exist beyond words. In my 67 years, I’ve had three: two successful organ transplants, witnessing the birth of my niece, and now this road trip — a week of love and joy.
My ‘earth suit’ is wearing out, and I don’t know how many adventures I have left. But the love and kindness I’ve received — I will carry it in my heart forever.”
At EOMA, we believe in showing up for one another in the moments that matter most. Elaine’s story is a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can leave a lasting impact. If her journey touched your heart, we invite you to be part of something meaningful — share her story, spread kindness in your own way, and help us continue creating moments that truly matter. Because together, we can turn compassion into something unforgettable. 💛
E transfer: Emily.b_3@hotmail.com (for anyone you know who is wanting to contribute to her bucket list)
Melanie Braga Editor & Founder of Momma Braga | Parenting Advocate | Storyteller | Community Builder
Melanie Braga is the heart and voice behind Momma Braga, a celebrated parenting and lifestyle platform that inspires, empowers, and uplifts families across Canada and beyond. Based in Ontario, Canada, Melanie brings over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector, where she dedicated herself to supporting Toronto’s most vulnerable communities. Her background in social services and fundraising—paired with her natural gift for storytelling—laid the foundation for her next chapter: motherhood and media. In 2015, Melanie launched Momma Braga as a personal blog to chronicle her journey as a new mom. What began as a heartfelt outlet quickly blossomed into a trusted resource for parents seeking honest reflections, practical tips, and a sense of community without judgment. Her writing—raw, relatable, and often infused with cultural pride—has resonated deeply with readers navigating the joys and challenges of parenting all over the world. Melanie’s impact has not gone unnoticed. She was named Blogger of the Year by The Baby Spot in 2017 and later appointed as their Assignments Editor, a role that reflects her editorial leadership and commitment to amplifying diverse parenting voices. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including CTV News, The Baby Spot, Parent Life Network, and What She Said Talk, where she’s shared insights on motherhood, liver health and advocacy. A proud Portuguese-Canadian and devoted mother, Melanie is also the founder of Nikki’s Liver Love Campaign, a youth-led initiative that has raised over $5,000 for Liver Canada. Her advocacy work, combined with her storytelling, has earned her recognition on lists such as “Top Canadian Mom Blogs,” “Best Book Review Blogs,” and “Top Mom Bloggers” year after year. Whether she’s reviewing children’s books with her daughter Nikki, spotlighting small businesses, or sharing deeply personal essays, Melanie’s mission remains the same: to build a kinder, more connected world—one story at a time.
Follow her journey at MommaBraga.com or connect with her on social media @Official_MommaBraga.
Nikki’s Liver Love Campaign: A Young Heart with a Hero’s Spirit
At just eight years old, Nikki made a promise that would ripple far beyond her classroom. What began as a simple Lent commitment blossomed into a powerful movement of compassion, creativity, and advocacy; one that continues to inspire and uplift. Motivated by her mom and dad’s liver journey and a deep desire to help others, Nikki launched the Liver Love Campaign, crafting and selling rainbow loom bracelets to raise funds for Liver Canada. Her goal was modest—just $30—but within a day, she surpassed it. With each bracelet sold, her mission grew stronger. By the end of that first season, Nikki had raised an astonishing $1,105. Now 11, Nikki’s campaign has evolved into a beacon of hope. Over the past three years, she’s raised over $5,000, supporting liver health research, education, and patient services across Canada. Her bracelets, made with love and purpose, symbolize healing, strength, and the power of giving back. But Nikki’s impact goes beyond fundraising. She’s sparked vital conversations about liver disease—an often misunderstood condition that affects 1 in 4 Canadians. Through her story, she’s helped break down stigmas and remind others that advocacy has no age limit. In 2025, Nikki’s extraordinary efforts were recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a prestigious honour awarded to individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to their communities. Nikki was the youngest recipient and her courage and compassion shone as brightly as the medal she received. Her journey is a testament to the boundless potential of children when they’re empowered to lead with love. Nikki reminds us that “Live is in liver,” and that with a little creativity, a lot of heart and unwavering support, even the smallest hands can make a world of difference.
To learn more about Nikki’s mission, visit the Liver Love Campaign on Momma Braga.
Julia RN, BSN | Emergency Nurse | Vancouver Coastal Health
Julia always knew she wanted to help people and the importance of living donations. When Julia was 17, she joined the stem cell registry and when she was 18 she started donating blood. Julia grew up in various parts of Ontario and moved to Vancouver as a teenager. She went on to become a registered nurse and specialize in emergency medicine. When Julia was 18 she saw someone’s public appeal in the paper looking for a living kidney donor. She applied then but was denied due to age but donating was always in the back of her mind. In the summer of 2021, Julia traveled to Ontario and donated a portion of her liver anonymously to a child. In 2022, Julia again donated a kidney anonymously through the paired kidney exchange in Toronto. Julia became part of a rare group of anonymous double donors where there was less than 10 people in Canada when she donated. Post-surgery Julia has become passionate about advocating for living donor programs as well as the importance of organ donation. She saw how her patients’ quality of life suffered while waiting for a deceased transplant, and the need to expand living donor programs. She believes that anyone can get involved from signing an organ donor card, donating blood or through living donation. When asked what prompted her in wanting to donate she says it is something that she can do to help improve someone’s quality of life or save their life. It is a few months of your life and someone can live the rest of theirs. Julia continues to be involved through her job as a nurse, and volunteering with the UHN Centre for Living Organ Donation, BC transplant and the Canadian
Donation and Transplant Research Program (CDTRP). In future, Julia hopes to continue to mentor others on their donation journey.