Regional clinics were a part of the BCTS vision. The transplant centres were organized under one centralized body, ensuring quality care. Regional post transplant care was established throughout the province to provide great post-transplant follow-up from educated health providers accessible to patients’ throughout the province. Burke has been a part of the post-transplant clinic since its establishment and she continuously recognizes needs that will improve patient care. She has taken on the responsibility of preparing pre-transplant packages ensuring that patients traveling to Vancouver for pre-transplant assessment have the appropriate information for the Coordinators.

As a patient, Gerow only made a few trips to Vancouver, one to visit the pre-transplant kidney coordinators and another for his transplant surgery. After spending three months recovering from his transplant in Vancouver Gerow was able to return to his home in New Denver and continue with follow-up care in Trail. Gerow expresses full confidence in his clinic care and feels he’s part of a family at the clinic, and speaks of how great the staff is. He fully realizes the great benefit his regional clinic offers to all transplant recipients of the West Kootenay’s, knowing that he and his family would have had to consider moving if they didn’t have access to this clinic. “I’m able to climb mountains, which I love, golf everyday, whatever I feel like,” says Gerow. He credits all this to his transplant and the excellent follow-up care he receives near home.

Burke’s perspective of the clinic echoes Gerow’s sentiments. She knows that it would be next to impossible for patients to travel in and out of Vancouver for their follow-up visits. Small centres have many benefits, as Burke explains, she often knows the transplant patients from the time they were on dialysis allowing them to relate on a personal level. There is an inherent trust that exists as patients know that any concerns staff have would be shared with the transplant team as a whole.

BCTS supports the regional clinic staff through regular monthly teleconferences and bi-annual education sessions. Staff at the clinic are appreciative of the time and resources provided by BCTS. Speaking of the educational sessions Burke says “I am privileged to have this.” Transplant staff from across BC collaborate monthly, sharing information and solutions, generating better patient care.

In the mid 1980’s BC’s Ministry of Health became concerned with the direction of some transplant programs in Canada, where the system was expensive, competitive, and chaotic. In an effort to lead BC in a positive direction BC’s Ministry of Health established an advisory committee led by Dr. Robin Hutchinson, to determine an appropriate system and direction for transplantation in BC. The committee gathered expertise from nephrologists across the province to help develop the best model for a transplant program. The Ministry was looking for the best value for tax dollars and believed that forming a Society would help control quality and cost. It was determined through the committee that one coordinated body overseeing few high volume centres would produce better quality health care for transplant patients.

There was an immediate need to centralize the allocation of deceased donor organs for equitable access to transplantation. This objective was delegated by the Ministry’s advisory committee. From this perspective, establishing the BC Transplant Society would be an effective avenue. One organization would play the role of honest broker and ensure equitable access through one central patient waitlist and the distribution of available organs. The initial plans to manage organ retrieval quickly evolved into a multifaceted transplant organization, as Dr. Hutchinson says, “It was the innovative approach and philosophy of Dr. Paul Keown that led to a model, which is admired and copied all over.”

The vision; transplantation is overseen through one organization to increase the number of transplants and meet a growing demand. The quality of transplantation is kept elevated using the most recent technology and approaches. Post transplant care is available closer to home through the establishment of specialized regional outpatient clinics.

Twenty years ago a system of decentralizing patient care to regional clinics was unique in transplantation. Dr. Paul Keown, first Director of the BC Transplant Society, remembers, “It was a very exciting time, with no model to turn to, we were breaking new ground.” The goal of the Transplant Society was to create a system of quality care accessible to all patients in BC. Nephrologists from across the Province were included in a collaboration that would help determine the best practices for this transplant model. Dr. Karr, a nephrologist in Penticton at the time, was involved in the collaborative as a voice from the Okanagan. Karr remembers a strong sense of team throughout the planning stage, he also valued the positive impact the regional model would have allowing patients to return home and receive quality care.

Transplantation became a feasible healthcare option for patients all over BC. As Dr. Karr explains, this model had a major impact on communities; he says “People knew that if they had to go to Vancouver for a transplant they would not have their lives disrupted for long periods of time.” Many patients pre BC Transplant Society were followed in their home towns by their family doctor or relocated closer to Vancouver to ensure specialized follow-up care. Vancouver developed as a base offering consistent resources for transplant patients and specialists throughout BC.

Connected through a computerized patient database, the transplant team had access to up-to-date patient information across the Province. Two decades ago this type of technology was relatively new and the BCTS model was dependant on the information sharing system. The database housed patient information, accessible from the transplant centre to the peripheral clinicians. The information system was critical, ensuring no patients would be lost in the follow-up process.

Throughout the development and first years of the BC Transplant Society’s existence clear goals were set and positive outcomes realized early on. To meet the needs of a growing transplant waitlist it was essential to establish equal access to deceased donor organs and increase the number of organs available through better retrieval practices. The number of transplant centres increased and St. Paul’s Hospital was soon operational offering kidney transplantation and helping to increase volume. Accomplishments were realized early on as the number of kidney transplants soared from 34 in 1985 to 135 in 1987. Dr. Keown says, “The best reward was seeing success.” The planning and risk of establishing a new model of healthcare began to generate excellent outcomes. Dr. Keown credits the early success of BCTS to the people involved from the beginning for their complete dedication and commitment.

As the renal transplant program was excelling, programs for research and extra-renal transplantation were developing. The heart program was established and the first heart transplants were performed in 1988 as the Society expanded to meet the growing demands of extra-renal transplantation. The heart program was soon followed by both liver and lung programs. A clinical trials department was created as a permanent fixture to ensure that BC Transplant was committed to the most recent treatments for transplant patients. The quick pace didn’t diminish the quality of care as the organization produced some of the best outcomes in the world.

BC Transplant was born out of a commitment to innovative health care and leading patient outcomes. As leader of the Ministry of Health’s advisory committee, Dr. Hutchinson was dedicated to forming a leading transplant organization. Ironically a few years after forming BCTS, he found himself dealing with BC Transplant in a much different light as he was in need of a kidney transplant. The evolving innovations of BCTS were of benefit to Dr. Hutchinson as they were just starting to transplant diabetic patients. He describes his experience, “It’s like being born all over again.”

The BC Transplant Society model of health care is still unique in transplantation. Cancer care in BC has adopted a similar model, establishing specialized patient care in cities throughout BC.

Operation Popcorn
By Lisa Despins

When hearing the words ‘Operation Popcorn’, you could be forgiven for thinking it some kind of bizarre military maneuver. In reality ‘Operation Popcorn’ is a program run by the BC Transplant Society, to acknowledge the difficult, but crucial role British Columbia’s hospital staff play with potential organ donors and their families.

Operation Popcorn started over 15 years ago, and like many programs it started small. Loretta Kane, former BCTS Director of Retrieval, as the department was then called, had worked as a nurse in ICU, and knew first hand how heart wrenching and difficult the work could be. She was determined to find a way to recognize the hospital staff and their contribution to the organ donation process in a way that was fun and inclusive, and so ‘Operation Popcorn’ was born. Close to Christmas, Loretta and her small team would hire a truck and personally deliver big, colourfully decorated tins of popcorn to the staff in the Vancouver hospitals — specifically to the departments dealing directly with potential donors and their families — the ICU, operating and emergency rooms. They also delivered to the Immunology Lab responsible for matching donors with potential recipients, and the Provincial Lab in charge of all the blood work. Hospitals outside Vancouver were sent their popcorn.

In 1997, Loretta crashed a heart transplant support group meeting being held at BCTS to talk to the recipients, but primarily to steal their food! It was while chatting to James McLaren and Peter Quinn, both of whom had recently received heart transplants, that a light came on — why not ask the recipients to deliver the popcorn? Her work in ICU had shown that it was rare for hospital staff to see the positive side of organ donation and the people who had benefited from organ transplants.

Loretta received a call from a lab technician the first time the recipients delivered the popcorn to the Immunology Lab. The lab technician was in tears “What are you trying to do to us” she said! The hospital staff felt the same. They loved seeing the recipients looking healthy and well, and getting on with their lives. At the same time, the recipients welcomed the opportunity to thank the staff personally for their hard work and dedication, and to show them living proof that organ donation saves lives.

In 2001, the BCTS Communications Dept and the Retrieval Department (now called Organ Donation & Hospital Development) joined forces and expanded the program. Last year over 20 hospitals, three labs and seven coroner’s offices across BC received popcorn from teams of transplant recipients happy to show their gratitude for their gift of life.

If you’d like to be involved in Operation Popcorn this year, especially if you live in a smaller community (it’s often difficult to get a team together for these hospitals), please let us know. Not only is it fun, but it’s a great way to meet other transplant recipients. Please contact Lisa at 604.877-2185 or lisa_despins@bcts.hnet.bc.ca.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

MedicAlert and BC Transplant Society:
Working together to Save and Protect Lives

Organ failure can affect anyone at anytime. Just ask Kelsey Kilburn. Born with a collapsed lung, an enlarged spleen, and polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder where large cysts form on the kidneys; reducing function and eventually leading to kidney failure, Kelsey’s young life was anything but normal.

At the age of three, when most youngsters would be active at play, Kelsey began rigorous dialysis treatments, six times a day. A year later, she was fortunate to receive a kidney transplant. Despite a regime of anti-rejection medications that Kelsey, and other transplant recipients take for the rest of their lives, she was determined to live a full and active life. And with a new kidney she did just that. Excelling at school, Kelsey was active in vocal jazz and drama. She volunteered for the BC Transplant Society by speaking to her peers about the benefits of organ donation. In 2002, she was presented with the Coast Foundation’s Courage to Come Back Award, which is given each year to six individuals for their courage to overcome and recover from illness, injury, or adversity. Today, Kelsey is a vibrant 21 year-old, who after studying theatre is now pursuing an acting career.

Like many other organ transplant recipients, the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation has been an important organization for Kelsey and her family. “It’s comforting knowing that her medical information is on record.” says Barb Kilburn, Kelsey’s mother. “I don’t have to worry as much when she’s away from home.”

With more than a million members, MedicAlert, a not for profit organization and registered Canadian charity, has been providing this kind of comfort in the way of emergency medical information services to Canadians since 1961.
Currently, more than 115,000 British Columbians are members of MedicAlert, of whom 2000 are patients awaiting a transplant or patients who have received a transplant (16,000 across the country). Their MedicAlert membership record includes details about their medical condition(s), a complete list of medication, emergency contacts (physician, transplant coordinators, family) and any special needs or requests. This information is kept up-to-date and maintained in a highly secure, confidential database. It is made available in emergencies — with patient’s prior consent — to authorized health care professionals via a 24-hour hotline.

“A MedicAlert membership can play an important role in assisting patients to better manage their health. We encourage anyone with any medical conditions to join us and benefit from our services” says Dr. Martin Kabat, President and CEO of Canadian MedicAlert Foundation.

We are pleased to announce that the BC Transplant Society has established a unique partnership with the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation. We will be working together to increase awareness of organ donation and transplantation in British Columbia. “There are some great benefits in partnering with such a respected organization, says Bill Barrable, BC Transplant’s Provincial Executive Director.

For example, 2,000 British Columbians have listed organ donor as one of the reasons for becoming a MedicAlert member. “It’s important for us to let those people know that if they haven’t already, they should register their decision on BC’s Organ Donor Registry,” says Barrable.

In the coming year, both organizations will engage in cross-promotional opportunities, the first being an exchange of information in one another’s newsletters.

Innovations in Transplantation in BC

Increasing Graft Survival
The Liver transplant program at BCTS established a better form of treatment for hepatitis B liver transplant recipients. Liver transplantation for patients with chronic hepatitis B was historically made difficult by the high chance of re-infection for the newly transplanted organ. High instances of re-infection to the new liver meant that the graft would often fail.

The previous method of treatment, in efforts to keep the newly transplanted liver clear from hepatitis B re-infection was high doses of hepatitis B immune globulin (an antibody treatment traditionally used to prevent hepatitis B in those suspected of contact). This form of intravenous treatment was being used in the United States, but was not widely available and was extremely costly. These high doses of the antibody were not available in Canada and neither was the intravenous formulation; therefore, it was not easy to successfully treat hepatitis B patients post transplant. In fact, many programs across North America had a limited ability to offer successful liver transplants to hepatitis B patients.

A new form of treatment administering a low dose of the hepatitis immune globulin was used in BC and found to be an effective treatment, increasing the graft survival for hepatitis B patients. This new method of treatment significantly reduced the risk of re-infection to the newly transplanted liver, and lowered the cost of treatment.

This advancement has allowed patients with hepatitis B to become viable candidates for transplantation. As a result of this method, centres across North America are able to better treat and transplant these patients. There are fewer side effects for the patient with the lower dosage of drugs.

This treatment has been very successful and the hepatitis B patients are now doing extremely well after transplantation. The liver transplant program is well-known throughout the world for establishing this method of treatment.

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Clinical Trials
Over the past 15 years, up to 1000 patients have been enrolled in over 40 trials. The Clinical Trials group at BC Transplant has made a mark in many pivotal trials. These research studies have significantly benefited patients and the Transplant Society as a whole; producing immediate benefits to patients enrolled and future recipients to come. The trials conducted through BCTS have impacted our patients with the improvement of acute rejections rates, increased patient and graft survival, decreased hospitalization, and increased quality of life. Some key trials include:

1993 - Clinical Trials participated in a multi-centre tri continental trial looking at Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF), now called Cellcept. The group of participants from BC was the largest worldwide. The results of this study showed Cellcept to be safe and more effective compared with Imuran when combined with Cyclosporine and steroids for the prevention of acute kidney allograft rejection. Compared to Imuran, this combination reduced the risk of acute rejection at 6 months by 50%. At the time of this study, the rate of rejection was 40%.

In phase 3 trials, liver and kidney transplant patients were followed using the drug Tacrolimus, (TAC). This TAC based immunosuppression was compared to Cyclosporine based therapy. Although the one year patient and graft survival rates in TAC treated patients were equivalent to those in patients treated with the standard Cyclosporine, the incidence and severity of acute rejection episodes were significantly reduced.

A trial initiated at St. Paul’s Hospital looked at using Simulect as an induction agent. In the late 1990’s, prior to the use of Simulect in clinical practice, our rejection rate was approx 22%, today our overall rejection rate is below 10% in combination with Tacrolimus and Cellcept.

Currently, the Clinical Trials group is participating in the exciting Biomarkers in Transplantation which is looking at identifying a blood marker to predict rejection. If the blood marker is found, it would eliminate the need for patients to undergo an invasive biopsy procedure.

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Organ Donor Registry
In 1997, The BC Transplant Society (BCTS) launched a computerized Organ Donor Registry (ODR) to create greater awareness about organ donation and transplantation and to help individuals register their decision in a secure, legal and confidential manner. This registry, the first of its kind in Canada, replaced all previous ways of registering. Improvements include:

• Once the registration is processed, it is automatically linked up to one’s BC Care Card number, making it fully accessible, 24 hours/7 days a week to medical professionals
• It is a legal document
• It helps remove the burden and onus off the grieving family members to make this decision at a difficult time
• Provides four choices regarding organ donation, including the option not to donate
• Individuals only need to register once – but can change their decision at anytime by re-registering
• Registration is available to all British Columbians, not just drivers
Since its launch, the ODR’s technology has evolved, allowing people to register online and confirm if they have registered online. Through partnerships organ donor forms are currently inserted with new CareCards and Drivers licenses making the registration process easy and accessible to British Columbians. To date, more than 588,000 British Columbians have registered on the Registry. Of this, 59% are female and 41% are male.

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Universal Referral
In July, 1998, the BC Legislature unanimously passed amendments to the Human Tissue Gift Act, to permit the creation of regulations intended to ensure that all British Columbians are offered the opportunity to donate life-saving organs and tissues.

The BC Ministry of Health put forward these amendments to assist British Columbians waiting for a life saving transplant. The Ministry worked collaboratively with the BC Transplant Society and a number of key health groups to initiate these changes, which require hospitals in BC to report all deaths up to and including age 75. Hospitals will have designated requestors trained to approach families for consent.

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Ethnic Consultation
In 1994, recognizing the incredible diversity of Canada’s population, with projections for further increases (by 2017 it is likely that 23% of Canadians will identify themselves as ‘racially visible’ and 4% will call themselves Aboriginal), the Canadian Council for Donation and Transplantation (CCDT) established a ‘Diverse Communities Consultation’ — a collaborative process which involved local organ procurement organizations in Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver, existing contacts in the relevant ethnic communities, and new contacts gained through the project.

The goal of the consultation was to learn more about the beliefs and values of the dominant ethnic group from the designated cities, and how they influence what they think about organ donation and transplantation. The focus was to better understand their views to ensure that every Canadian has the opportunity to consider donation and transplantation.

The communities chosen for the consultation were; the Chinese community in Toronto, South Asian in Vancouver, and Aboriginal in Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

The South Asian consultation in Vancouver took place in February 2005. Participants were from Muslim, Sikh, or Hindu communities and a total of 59 people (38 men and 21 women) shared their opinions through focus groups, individual interviews, a dialogue session, or meetings. Information gained from the consultation demonstrated that for many participants this was the first time they had discussed organ donation and transplantation, and that, as with many communities, discussing death and dying is never easy. However, it was felt that the consultation provided a much deeper understanding of how faith and culture influence people’s views and also that the community were interested in learning more about the issue, especially through the stories of people in their community affected by transplant.

The results of the consultation also spurred the BC Transplant Society to create a new part-time ‘South Asian Community Outreach’ position. Today the BCTS is lucky to have Mina Singh acting as ambassador and educator in the South Asian community, and much progress has already been made in the development of a number of public awareness initiatives involving many local community leaders and groups.

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Living Organ Donor Expense Reimbursement Program
1999 was a pivotal year for organ donation in BC. It was then that the number of living donor kidney transplants surpassed the number of kidney transplants from deceased donors. In doing so, the face of kidney donation and transplantation changed forever. It was also that year that I met a living donor for the first time. A woman had flown to Vancouver from her home in New Brunswick, at her expense, to give a kidney to her ailing brother, who lived in northern British Columbia. With no family or friends in Vancouver, they were forced to rent a small apartment near Vancouver General Hospital, while they recovered. At a cost of $1,000 per month, Vancouver landlords are not known for their charity towards living donors.

It struck me then that there was a high cost to be paid for being a living donor. The BC Transplant Society, too, began to see the enormous financial barrier that many living donors faced. A report prepared by BCTS in 2001 suggested that 40 per cent of living donors incurred some out-of-pocket expenses for travel and accommodation. With many donors requiring up to six or eight weeks to recover after the surgery, the financial burden of donating becomes more clear. That same report noted that the net savings to the healthcare system over a five-year period would be close to $150,000. Because of the high-cost of dialysis treatment—more than $50,000 per year—it makes economic sense to transplant kidney patients. Further it would cost the federal government less than $2 million a year to reimburse the expenses and provide lost income support to living donors across Canada. A ten million dollar investment over five years could potentially save $53 million in health spending.

Without an advocacy group of any sort, getting attention for this issue was a challenge. Undeterred, the BC Transplant Society partnered with The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch in 2005 to develop an expense reimbursement program for living donors, and to acquire the necessary funding to support such a program. With half of the annual $300,000 funding secured from private industry, Lynda Cranston, CEO of the Provincial Health Services Authority, the health authority responsible for BCTS, agreed to match the amount raised from the private sector, up to $150,000 annually for three years that the program would be piloted.

On July 19th, the BC Transplant Society, along with The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch, launched North America’s first Living Organ Donor Expense Reimbursement Program. Since then, strong interest for the program has come from across Canada, and other countries, including Australia. At a Canadian Council on Donation and Transplantation (CCDT) sponsored forum on Enhancing Living Donation, held in early 2006, there was strong support from delegates for a program of this sort for living donors across the country.

Private contributors to the program, which will be managed by The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch include: Hoffmann-La Roche, Astellas Pharma Canada, Genzyme Canada and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. The program is available to both living kidney and liver donors.

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Years of dialysis led to an appointment with a nephrologist and transplant surgeon in Vancouver. This was at a time of transition for transplantation in BC, and the establishment of pre-transplant kidney coordinators was still in the making. Monica doesn’t remember a lengthy assessment process; contrary, she simply remembers being told that she would need a transplant, she had a good chance, and it shouldn’t take too long. She went home to wait.

Three months later, her phone rang and the voice on the end of the line says, “We have a kidney for you.” Monica responded, “Are you sure.” She was consumed with excitement and fright; both accompanied her all the way to the operating room. On November 16, 1986 her life was forever changed and the date will never be forgotten. “I have two birthdays now, twenty years is a big one! I never thought it [kidney] would last that long,” she says.

Monica was told that her new kidney might last five or six years, now twenty years later the same kidney is still functioning well. She attributes some very positive changes in her health to Cyclosporine. Over the years many advances and changes in transplantation have significantly increased graft survival outcomes in patients, including better immunosupressives.

It is the unpredictable nature of kidney disease and organ failure that hasn’t changed. Like Monica, twenty years ago Cheryl Martin never expected that she would ever suffer from kidney failure, or need dialysis, let alone a kidney transplant.

Cheryl checked into Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) for minor sinus surgery. What she didn’t know is that an overnight hospital stay would lead to the discovery that her kidneys were failing, resulting in a four month hospital stay, undergoing dialysis. Doctors were making efforts to stabilize her health. “I was given six weeks to live,” remembers Cheryl. As a mother of two young children the instinct to fight for life and take any measure to hang on helped her make the decision to take an experimental drug that could potentially send her disease into remission.

With a predicted six weeks left to live Cheryl went into remission. Her kidneys would not recover. Dialysis and other complications kept her in and out of hospital. A kidney transplant would be the best way to treat her and help her get back to a normal life with her young family. Only one month after being placed on the transplant waitlist Cheryl received a call, that a kidney was available for her. At the time she had a cold, which prevented a transplant from taking place, not once, but twice within a few months.

March 20th, 1986 Cheryl was celebrating her 30th birthday, that day would also mark her second chance at life as she was called for the third time to come for her kidney transplant. This time she was in stable health and received her transplant, a kidney that continues to function well for her today, a little over 20 years post-transplant.

Two decades have passed, and every day Cheryl rejoices her second chance at life. “You have to honour that chance and the person who died for you, it’s your obligation,” she says

As I get on the plane to Edmonton, Alberta for the National Transplant Games, I am filled with feelings of anticipation, anxiety, and the unknown. As we fly above the clouds, I focus on my breathing. I’m in awe at the beauty of the blue sky surrounding the horizon. I feel on top of the world.

I arrive at the airport and meet other athletes traveling with a coach. My anxiety eases while getting acquainted, but I become concerned and think, “What am I doing here?” I’ve been training, but I don’t have a coach. My anxiety rises.

Upon arriving at our residences I meet up with my BC Team. A friend helps me, but I still feel flustered, dazed, and confused to my new surroundings. She explains the “housekeeping items” and guides me through the dorm I will call “home” for the next week. She is one of my angels! My anxiety increases as I read the material about the days to come. It is overwhelming. I try to get organized in the small amount of time left in the day.

Tomorrow is a big day. The Opening Ceremonies, my 3km run, and bowling. I can’t sleep. My stomach keeps turning — the great unknown. I survive the evening…barely. Soon enough, the alarm goes off. Panic sets in…what do I need to take with me? Tickets, passes, keys, water…a piece of mind would be nice! At breakfast, I see the BC Team in their uniforms; Wow, do they look nice!

It’s early morning and we head to City Hall for the Opening Ceremonies. It is hard to describe the feeling. You just have to be there with all of the athletes, accompanying people, and donor families. It brought tears to my eyes.

After the ceremonies, I am off to my first event, the 3km run. On the bus I feel anxious, tense, and excited. Running, I tire, but I keep saying to myself, “I can do this; my husband (my living donor) went through a lot more pain for me.” His spirit carries me through. Closer to the finish line, I hear my team mates cheering. I focus on my breathing to help work through my choking emotions. As I finish the race, I am overwhelmed. I also feel sad because I want my husband to be here, yet he is at home working. At the medal ceremony, I am surprised to receive a silver medal in my age category. More tears come to my eyes with complete disbelief.

With the first event under my belt, I feel more at ease. I enjoy myself at bowling, especially meeting new people and listening to their stories. Am I having fun yet????? HELL Yah!!!! I competed in five events overall.

Returning home, I unpack my luggage, and a wave of emotion comes over me as I place my medals (one gold & two silver) around my husband’s neck. Thanks to him I was able to attend the Games. I’ve learned that one must push through the unknown because if you don’t, you’ll miss the beauty that waits on the other side.

Thank you to the Canadian Transplant Association for creating the Transplant Games, for their hard work and dedication. Thank you to the donor families for participating, sharing their stories, having the courage to come to the games and promoting organ donation. Most importantly, thank you to my husband, because of his gift I was able to experience the games, find the blue sky, and have a chance to live life to the fullest.

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Thank Your Donors and Keep Fit
By Cricket Fox

A fun way to get healthy after a transplant is to join the Canadian Transplant Association (CTA). Transplant recipients train in many sports, including track & field, swimming and golf, to participate in the World and/or National Transplant Games. Our main goal is to promote organ donation. What better way than to prove you’re doing your best?

English renal surgeon, Dr. Maurice Slapak, started the games in England in 1979. He wanted to prove that recipients could exercise, and by doing so, could promote organ donation.

The CTA, BC Branch was started in Vancouver by two kidney recipients, Bill Stanley and myself, in January, 1989. With help from other recipients, we fundraised and trained so five of us could participate in the 1989 games in Singapore.

The CTA also welcomes donors and donor families, friends and family members. We organize several events annually, often in conjunction with the BCTS, to promote organ donation.

Attending the Games brings great interest from the media. Many of our athletes have been interviewed before and after participating in the games. Each recipient is proof that organ donation works.

If you’re a transplant recipient, any level of fitness is great. If you want to attend the games, but are afraid you’re not fit enough, no worries! There are walking events and a ball throw. Everyone is welcome.

Margaret Benson is the new BC Director of the CTA. Please contact her if you’re interested, at 604-985-6628, or by email at
winniethepooh@telus.net.

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Children's Organ Transplant Society of BC

This summer the Children’s Organ Transplant Society of BC held their first annual Golf Tournament with great success.Golfers of all levels came out to enjoy a fantastic day on the greens while supporting the children of BC who are waiting for a transplant and those transplanted.

Overall the Society raised $6000!

The 2nd annual golf tournament will be held on June 9, 2007 at the Country Meadows Golf Course in Richmond, BC.
1pm shotgun start. Texas Scramble, putting contest, door prizes, dinner, silent and live auctionReserve your spot now.
To donate Auction & Door prizes or for more information regarding Sponsorship opportunities please contact:Debbie Bielech604-271-7715

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