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Organ Donation & Transplant Stories

Read stories of those whose lives have been affected by organ donation and transplant.

We know that the power of organ donation is best told through personal stories. So, we've collected stories of transplant recipients, donor families, and those closest to them to show how transplant and organ donation makes a difference throughout the province.

Have a connection to transplant? Want to share your story? Please see our send us an email at info@bct.phsa.ca. 

 

 

Behind the scenes for Organ Donation Awareness Week – Meet Tina McVeigh, a BC Transplant Surgical Recovery Specialist<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/Green%20shirt%201.jpg" width="383" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:0px 75px;" />Behind the scenes for Organ Donation Awareness Week – Meet Tina McVeigh, a BC Transplant Surgical Recovery SpecialistApril 20 to 26, 2025 is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week. BC Transplant’s organ donation and hospital development team oversees every organ donor case in the province.http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/behind-the-scenes-for-organ-donation-awareness-week-–-meet-tina-mcveigh-a-bc-transplant-surgical-recovery-specialist2025-04-24T07:00:00Z
The power of hope through organ donation and transplant<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/older%20ben.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />The power of hope through organ donation and transplantBen’s transplant journey is featured in the third episode of Knowledge Network's docuseries ‘Transplant Stories’ currently airing in April. Though Ben only lived a few months after his transplant, the gift of life gave all of them desperately-needed hope.http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/the-power-of-hope-through-organ-donation-and-transplant2025-04-23T07:00:00Z
Remembering Mattie and the four lives he saved through organ donation<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/Woodfords%202019.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />Remembering Mattie and the four lives he saved through organ donationApril is Organ Donation Awareness Month and Rick and Noreen Woodford know firsthand how profound giving the gift of life can be – they lost their son Mattie seven years ago and honoured his registered decision to become an organ donor. http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/remembering-mattie-and-the-four-lives-he-saved-through-organ-donation2025-04-09T07:00:00Z
“Let my body serve through others” — an organ donor’s final words to her family<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/IMG_1418.jpg" width="486" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:px 20px;" />“Let my body serve through others” — an organ donor’s final words to her familyMichelle Sagert brought joy to so many people and was known for making others feel good. She was also a registered organ donor. Michelle saved several lives when she passed away at 35 years of age. http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/let-my-body-serve-through-others-—-an-organ-donor’s-final-words-to-her-family2025-04-01T07:00:00Z
Cardiac nurse and organ retrieval assistant turned heart transplant recipient<img alt="" height="528" src="/PublishingImages/Karen%20and%20Husband.jpg" width="398" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:0px 60px;" />Cardiac nurse and organ retrieval assistant turned heart transplant recipientThroughout her nursing career, Karen Alden has been at the bedside of organ donors and their families and patients undergoing heart surgery. Then she became the patient. Diagnosed with heart failure, Karen desperately needed a new heart to stay alive.http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/cardiac-nurse-and-organ-retrieval-assistant-turned-heart-transplant-recipient2025-02-27T08:00:00Z
Benjamin Warner’s last act of kindness saved three lives<img alt="" height="589" src="/PublishingImages/IMG_0247.jpeg" width="444" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:0px 40px;" />Benjamin Warner’s last act of kindness saved three livesIn 2024, hundreds of British Columbians received the gift of life through the generosity of organ donors such as Benjamin Warner. Benjamin was one of 118 deceased donors last year and saved three people’s lives.http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/benjamin-warner’s-last-act-of-kindness-saved-three-lives2025-01-22T08:00:00Z
Harvey’s heart journey and road to recovery<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/Screenshot%20(91).png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />Harvey’s heart journey and road to recoveryOn a Sunday morning in March 2024, Harvey Keizer got the call. There was a gifted heart matched to him. He packed his bags and made his way to St. Paul’s Hospital where he received his second chance at life the next day.http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/harvey’s-heart-journey-and-road-to-recovery2025-01-22T08:00:00Z
More than 6,300 British Columbians alive today because of organ donation<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/bct-info-slide-1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />More than 6,300 British Columbians alive today because of organ donationVANCOUVER – Thanks to the incredible generosity of more than 200 organ donors, 481 British Columbians received a life-saving organ transplant in 2024. Now 6,318 British Columbians are followed up and cared for today because of organ donation.http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/more-than-6-300-british-columbians-alive-today-because-of-organ-donation2025-01-22T08:00:00Z
A young organ donor’s legacy goes beyond her gifts of life<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/4.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />A young organ donor’s legacy goes beyond her gifts of lifeIn 2016, BCT organ donation coordinator David Torney was an ICU nurse in Nanaimo. He was on shift the night his homestay student María was rushed in with severe injuries. What happened afterwards transformed four people’s lives.http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/a-young-organ-donor’s-legacy-goes-beyond-her-gifts-of-life2024-12-23T08:00:00Z
Volunteering with Operation Popcorn - BC Transplant's Way of Giving Thanks<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/PXL_20241205_184042728.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />Volunteering with Operation Popcorn - BC Transplant's Way of Giving ThanksOperation Popcorn came to end on December 6 with many hearts filled with gratitude and joy. With festive deliveries to 29 hospitals, over 80 volunteers and BCT staff enjoyed the opportunity to give thanks. http://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/volunteering-with-operation-popcorn-bc-transplants-way-of-giving-thanks2024-12-17T08:00:00Z


SOURCE: Organ Donation & Transplant Stories ( )
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