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. 

 

 

Operation Popcorn celebrates health care teams and thousands of new organ donor registrations<img alt="" src="/news/PublishingImages/op%20pop.jpg" width="577" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />Operation Popcorn celebrates health care teams and thousands of new organ donor registrationshttps://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/operation-popcorn-celebrates-health-care-teams-and-thousands-of-new-organ-donor-registrations2025-12-01 8:00:00 AM
UBCIC-PHSA-VCH News ReleaseUBCIC-PHSA-VCH News ReleaseUnion of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) reach a settlement agreement to improve supports for Indigenous peoples through their liver transplant care journeyshttps://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/ubcic-phsa-vch-news-release2025-11-20 8:00:00 AM
A million British Columbians show interest in organ donation through their income tax returnsA million British Columbians show interest in organ donation through their income tax returnsVANCOUVER – Approximately one million British Columbians ticked ‘yes’ during the spring tax preparation season, marking a successful launch to an innovative partnership between BC Transplant (BCT) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/a-million-british-columbians-show-interest-in-organ-donation-through-their-income-tax-returns2025-11-03 8:00:00 AM
Celebrating Olivia Hayne – A champion for organ donation and 2025 PHSA+ Volunteer Award recipient<img alt="" src="/news/PublishingImages/20251027_193530.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />Celebrating Olivia Hayne – A champion for organ donation and 2025 PHSA+ Volunteer Award recipient​​Olivia lost her brother Alistair in 2017. He became an organ donor and saved five lives. Olivia and her family turned their grief into purpose by sharing their story to inspire others.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/celebrating-olivia-hayne-a-champion-for-organ-donation-and-2025-phsa-plus-volunteer-award-recipient2025-10-30 7:00:00 AM
New design for donor medals honours Indigenous culture<img alt="" src="/news/PublishingImages/DMC%20Art.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />New design for donor medals honours Indigenous cultureWith the unveiling of a new donor medal design, organ donation coordinator Shannon McCloskey reflects on the importance of honouring Indigenous culture at the donor medal ceremonies and in her work with donor families.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/new-design-for-donor-medals-honours-indigenous-culture2025-10-15 7:00:00 AM
A Daughter’s Life-Saving Gift: How one act of love gave her dad a second chance at life<img alt="" height="337" src="/news/PublishingImages/Lans%20dad%20and%20her%20at%20hospital.jpg" width="454" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:0px 45px;" />A Daughter’s Life-Saving Gift: How one act of love gave her dad a second chance at lifeSeptember 7 to 15 is Living Donation Week, celebrating living donors and recipients, as well as raising awareness about living kidney and liver donation.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/a-daughter’s-life-saving-gift-how-one-act-of-love-gave-her-dad-a-second-chance-at-life2025-09-08 7:00:00 AM
New first-in-Canada electronic system doubles ICU referrals of organ donors in BC<img alt="" src="/news/PublishingImages/Bikram-Chilliwack.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />New first-in-Canada electronic system doubles ICU referrals of organ donors in BCWith ICU staff busier than ever providing critical care to patients, BC Transplant’s new electronic donor referral process called “iReferral” simplifies the organ donor referral process and is already seeing significant results in the launch phase.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/new-first-in-canada-electronic-system-doubles-icu-referrals-of-organ-donors-in-bc2025-09-05 7:00:00 AM
BCT team member takes pride in raising awareness about organ donation <img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/Griffin%20(3).jpeg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />BCT team member takes pride in raising awareness about organ donation With the Vancouver Pride parade coming up, organ donation specialist Griffin shares about his efforts to raise awareness within the queer community.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/bct-team-member-takes-pride-in-raising-awareness-about-organ-donation2025-07-30 7:00:00 AM
Two-time kidney recipient Angela Burghard returns to her roots for this year’s World Transplant Games! <img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/At%20Transplant%20Trot.jpeg" width="392" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:0px 65px;" />Two-time kidney recipient Angela Burghard returns to her roots for this year’s World Transplant Games! Angela Burghard is excited to return to her birth country Germany for the 25th World Transplant Games with her son and living donor to participate in the Games and celebrate her third chance at life.https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/two-time-kidney-recipient-angela-burghard-returns-to-her-roots-for-this-year’s-world-transplant-games2025-07-29 7:00:00 AM
Don’t stop her now – a lifelong battle with liver disease doesn’t limit Amanda from competing<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/Amanda%201.jpg" width="362" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:0px 85px;" />Don’t stop her now – a lifelong battle with liver disease doesn’t limit Amanda from competingAmanda was told she had six months to live in December 2022. She received the gift of life a few months later and will now be competing in the World Transplant Games this summer. https://www.transplant.bc.ca/about/news-stories/organ-donation-transplant-stories/don’t-stop-her-now-–-a-lifelong-battle-with-liver-disease-doesn’t-limit-amanda-from-competing2025-07-16 7:00:00 AM