British Columbia Transplant Society Website

The BC Transplant Society invites donor families to participate in the making of our Donor Family Memory Quilt. The quilt will be a tribute to those who have given the Gift of Life through organ and tissue donation. Each quilt square, or Patch of Love, will be unique and designed by a donor family to recognize and remember their loved one's legacy. When finished, the quilt will serve as a donation awareness tool, and completed panels will travel throughout British Columbia for display at public awareness events, donor memorial ceremonies, meetings and other special events.

How to make a PATCH of LOVE

Your love and effort are all that are required. You do not need to be artistic, talented or even have previous quilting experience. You can make the quilt patch as simple or as ornate as you chose.

• Your panel should be 9 inches by 9 inches (22.86cm) leaving a ½ inch   (1.27cm) border on all edges. This leaves an 8 inch square (20.32cm)
for your design (see sample pattern).

• You may use any cloth. Some may chose to use fabric from sentimental   materials such as baby blankets, a favourite sweatshirt, jeans, school
  jacket etc.

• You may adorn a fabric square with a photo, poem, or quote that   symbolizes your loved one's life. Photos and printed matter may be   transferred onto fabric (available at many office supply and photo
shops). Please do not use actual photos.

• Special pins, panels, or buttons may be attached but please make
certain they are secure to fabric.

• You may include the name of your loved one

• Do not finish the patch with quilting or backing

Stories from the Quilt

Every quilt patch of love represents a life and tells a story. We invite you to share stories about their patch designs, and what participating in the quilt project means to them. These stories (approximately 250 words or less) will be included in a book accompanying the quilt.

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Consent for Media Release

Please print and complete the Consent for Media/Education Release form found on this website and mail it in with your patch. If you are not able to print the consent form, we will mail you a copy of the release form. The release form grants us permission to publish your patch and your story in the accompanying journal, with the quilt as well as on our Donor Family website.

Mailing your patch

Enclose the patch in a Ziploc/plastic bag to ensure it arrives clean and safe. Be sure to include the Consent for Media/Education Release form and, your story if you wish. Send by registered mail or insured carrier to:

ODHD- Family Quilt
c/o BC Transplant Society
West Tower, 3rd Floor
555 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 3X7

Confirmation of received patches

We will send you a letter confirming receipt of your patch within 2-3 weeks of receipt. We will also notify you when your patch has been sewn into the quilt and/or added to the website for viewing.

There is no deadline to the BC Donor Family Memory Quilt, as it is never finished. One seam is always left open to allow new families a chance to participate. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Sinclair or Phil Goeres, Organ Donation Specialists, BC Transplant Society at 604-877-2240 or 1-800-663-6189.