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. 

 

 

Champions for organ donation across BC: A partnership making a difference<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/health-professionals/refer-a-donor/give-trigger/SBC%20X%20BCT.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />Champions for organ donation across BC: A partnership making a differenceBC Transplant and Service BC partner to raise awareness about organ donation across British Columbia. Through everyday interactions at Service BC offices, staff help people learn about and register their donation decisions.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/champions-for-organ-donation-across-bc-a-partnership-making-a-difference2026-04-27 7:00:00 AM
Study finds kidney transplants are better for patients and the Earth<img alt="" src="/news/PublishingImages/Dr.%20Chris%20Nguan.png" width="577" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />Study finds kidney transplants are better for patients and the EarthA new UBC study finds kidney transplant has a much lower climate impact than dialysis. Researchers hope future kidney care will consider environmental impact alongside patient outcomes and cost.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/study-finds-kidney-transplants-are-better-for-patients-and-the-earth2026-04-22 7:00:00 AM
How One Donor’s Gift Connected Two Families Forever<img alt="" src="/news/PublishingImages/Ben%27s%20Slideshow%202.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />How One Donor’s Gift Connected Two Families ForeverAfter receiving a liver transplant, Mark wrote to his donor’s family—who were grieving the loss of their son, Ben. That anonymous connection turned into a powerful, face-to-face bond that helped to heal both families.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/how-one-donor’s-gift-connected-two-families-forever2026-04-20 7:00:00 AM
Organ donation conversations expand into community pharmacies through new UBC-led initiative <img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/health-professionals/refer-a-donor/give-trigger/UBC1.JPG" width="499" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:px 15px;" />Organ donation conversations expand into community pharmacies through new UBC-led initiative A new partnership between BC Transplant and UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Practice Innovation Portfolio bringing conversations about organ donation to community pharmacies. https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/organ-donation-conversations-expand-into-community-pharmacies-through-new-ubc-led-initiative2026-04-13 7:00:00 AM
More than books: BC libraries spark life-saving conversations this April<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/health-professionals/refer-a-donor/give-trigger/Squamish%20Library%20display%20with%20Stephanie%20and%20staff%20(2).jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:0px 5px;" />More than books: BC libraries spark life-saving conversations this AprilFor Stephanie Nand, organ donation is more than a campaign or a poster on display – it’s a story deeply rooted in family, love and gratitude.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/more-than-books-bc-libraries-spark-life-saving-conversations-this-april2026-04-08 7:00:00 AM
Driving Change: A decade of ICBC Supporting Organ Donation<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/health-professionals/refer-a-donor/give-trigger/IMG_1944.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />Driving Change: A decade of ICBC Supporting Organ DonationMarch 2026 represents 10 years of collaboration between BCT and ICBC to expand organ donation awareness and increase organ donor registrations across BC. https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/driving-change-a-decade-of-icbc-supporting-organ-donation2026-04-01 7:00:00 AM
A gift between brothers: First living donor liver transplant in BC in a decade<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/health-professionals/refer-a-donor/give-trigger/3%20shot.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />A gift between brothers: First living donor liver transplant in BC in a decadeAfter 10 years, the living donor liver transplant program has returned at Vancouver General Hospital. Last summer, Jimmy Van Ostrand became the new program’s first donor, saving his brother David’s life. https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/a-gift-between-brothers-first-living-donor-liver-transplant-in-bc-in-a-decade2026-03-30 7:00:00 AM
A record-breaking year for organ transplants in BC, made possible by 232 donors<img alt="" src="/news/PublishingImages/bct-info-slide-1-full.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />A record-breaking year for organ transplants in BC, made possible by 232 donorsVANCOUVER – A record-breaking 575 people in British Columbia received the gift of life in 2025, thanks to the incredible generosity of 232 organ donors, including 146 deceased donors and their families and 86 living donors. https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/a-record-breaking-year-for-organ-transplants-in-bc-made-possible-by-232-donors2026-01-28 8:00:00 AM
“A heart of gold”: Beau’s final act of kindness<img alt="" src="/news/PublishingImages/beau%202.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />“A heart of gold”: Beau’s final act of kindnessBeau Wargovcsik was one of 146 people in BC in 2025 who generously gave the gift of life as their final act of kindness. Beau wanted to be an organ donor if he could and his parents are proud they were able to honour his wishes.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/a-heart-of-gold-beau’s-final-act-of-kindness2026-01-28 8:00:00 AM
Learning to live again after receiving the greatest gift<img alt="" src="/news/PublishingImages/Troy%20pic%201.jpeg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />Learning to live again after receiving the greatest giftKelowna resident Troy Chapman is one of 357 people in BC who received a kidney transplant in 2025.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/learning-to-live-again-after-receiving-the-greatest-gift2026-01-28 8:00:00 AM