Sydney radio host Emma Chow has broken down on air while opening up about her husband’s health battle.
The 41-year-old, who hosts 2DayFM’s breakfast show with Nathan Roye, told listeners that her husband, Enzo Lisbona, is living with chronic kidney disease and now needs an organ transplant.
Chow is undergoing testing to find out whether she could be a suitable donor, saying that she is “trying to save my husband’s life”.
“We’ve been undergoing a bunch of tests over the past couple of months, and we’re currently waiting for the one test that shows if I’m a match or not,” she said, breaking down in tears.
“It’s the first time that I might finally be able to physically help him after years of feeling like all I could do was watch him suffer.”
Chow said the uncertainty was difficult, particularly as she prepares for the possibility that she may not be a match.
Despite the strain, she said she was focused on supporting her husband through his treatment, attending appointments, caring for their two young children and making life at home as comfortable as possible.
“In all honesty, I’m really tired,” she confessed, “And some days feel a lot harder to push through but I keep reminding myself why this season is so important.”
“It’s so Enzo can live a long and healthy life and watch our boys grow up.”
The couple, who have been married for 11 years, have two sons aged eight and two.
Their family has also been dealing with further grief after Lisbona’s parents died just two weeks apart earlier this year.
“The hardest part is that there’s no time to process the heavy stuff while also trying to continue moving forward with work, socialising, raising kids, or just being a present partner,” she said.
Chow’s decision to speak openly about the family’s experience was met with an outpouring of support online.
A clip of the emotional segment shared by 2DayFM attracted messages from fellow Australian television and radio personalities, including The Morning Show host Kylie Gillies.
“We see you,” Gillies wrote.
“Sending you so much love,” Ricki-Lee Coulter added, while former Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulović wrote: “You two are absolutely amazing, we love you so much”.
Image: Instagram
