On October 24, 1968, a 43-year old man underwent the first ever transplant in British Columbia at Vancouver General Hospital. His was one of only two transplants done that year, and he gained six more years of life with his new kidney.
Fast forward 50 years, to a record-setting 479 lives saved in 2017 through transplant. BC's donation and transplant program has achieved tremendous growth and success. BC is now a Canadian leader in organ donation, achieving the highest rate of organ donation in Canada in 2017, with more than 8,000 transplants since that first kidney was transplanted 50 years ago.
There are thousands of people involved in the donation or transplant journey of patients and families. The success of that journey is a transformative feat of expertise, coordination and caring across the province, in every health authority.
To celebrate 50 years, we are sharing 50 stories from the donation and transplant community. Watch for one story to be posted each week.
If you have been touched by organ donation or transplantation, send us your story at: info@bct.phsa.ca with the subject #50in50.
