It isn't on the brink of death, you can improve it by giving it more light, possibly a different pot. It 'could' make new leaves along the stems, I guess.
but why bother? It needed more light and possibly did not like that pot (which looks like it does not have drain holes) . The road to recovery will be long and winding, like those stems.
Most places (Home depot, grocery stores..) that sell gift flowers and plants have these frequently. In bloom with nice full leaves, for a few bucks. Especially as we have Valentines Day coming.
Buy a new one in honor of your gift-giver. I truly understand the sentiment behind gift plants, but I have learned to add a modification: as in, I will always have "a" kalanchoe to remember her by, just not "that" kalanchoe, necessarily.
Kalanchoe wants bright light, keep it in the pot it came in, set that inside something cuter if you wish.
