Published on Sep 24, 2025, 8:30:14 AM
Total time: 01:03:59
This episode originally aired in 2024 and is replayed for aHUS Awareness Day to raise awareness of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.
What happens when survival meets the unexpected reality of a rare disease?
In September 2024, Taylor Coffman first shared her powerful story on The Life Shift. After giving birth to her daughter, she experienced a life-threatening emergency that revealed a rare disease called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Her survival came against all odds, and her journey from patient to advocate continues to inspire.
To honor aHUS Awareness Day, this replay brings Taylor’s story back to the forefront:
Replay this conversation and share it to help raise awareness for aHUS and rare diseases that often go unseen.
After a career in acting and media, everything in Taylor Coffman’s life stopped during the birth of her daughter. Her delivery triggered atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, leaving her near death with multiple organ failure. Defying the odds, her survival inspired her to become a patient advocate, empowering others facing rare or life-altering diagnoses. Taylor’s Huffington Post article about her medical crisis became Apple News’ top story, reaching nearly 1 million readers in 48 hours. She now writes Rare Disease Girl on Substack and is working on a book that blends advocacy, light, and humor with the hard truths of navigating chronic illness. Connect with Taylor at Rare Disease Girl on Substack or on Instagram @taylorcoffmanmade.
🎧 Listen to this replay in honor of aHUS Awareness Day: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com
✨ Support The Life Shift for ad-free and early access: www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast
📬 Join the newsletter for episode reflections: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com
Follow on socials:
The Life Shift shares real and honest conversations about the moments that change us. Host Matt Gilhooly sits with guests as they tell true stories of life-changing events, unexpected challenges, and quiet awakenings that shaped who they are today.
Each episode offers meaningful and candid storytelling about grief, healing, resilience, identity, and growth. These are the personal stories that remind us what it feels like to be human. These are the turning points that stay with us.
If you are drawn to personal growth, emotional well-being, or stories of how people rebuild after loss, this show offers a gentle place to land. Listeners come for the life changes. They stay for the connection.
New episodes every Tuesday.
For more information, please visit https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com