BC Transplant

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Privacy policy: http://www.phsa.ca/privacy BC Transplant (BCT), established in 1986, directs, delivers or contracts for all organ transplant services across BC.

Register as an organ donor: https://registeryourdecision.ca
**Please note, BC Transplant reserves the right to remove any information posted that jeopardizes donor and/or recipient confidentiality. As an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, BCT is funded through the BC Ministry of Health. BC Transplant oversees all aspects of organ donation and transplant as well as the B.C. Organ Donor Registry.

10/27/2025

How did you do on this trivia question? We hope you learned something new! When you register your decision for organ donation at registeryourdecision.ca, this is only for deceased donation. Living donation is an entirely different process. If you are interested in living donation, you need to contact the living donation teams at VGH or SPH.

✅ By the way – Did you check ‘yes’ to learn more about organ donation and transplant when filing your taxes? Well, you don’t have to wait much longer. Soon you will receive a one-time email from BCT filled with helpful facts and information on organ donation and transplant, with direct links to register your decision on organ donation.

10/24/2025

John’s mother-in-law needed a kidney transplant so he decided to get tested not knowing that decision would change both their lives.

Five years later, she is thriving. And for John, the experience gave him more than he ever expected: a deeper connection to family, and a whole new appreciation for what it means to give.

Their journey is a reminder of what’s possible through living donation.

Living kidney donation is a separate process from deceased donation. Healthcare teams at VGH and SPH handle the entire process from the interest to donate, getting testing to finally donating - from beginning to end.

Learn more about living kidney donation on our website at transplant.bc.ca.

10/22/2025

Canadian Intensive Care Week is happening from October 20-26 and it’s the perfect opportunity to spotlight our critical care healthcare professionals and the care and support they provide to organ donors and their families while their loved one is in the hospital.

An organ donor’s journey starts with the specialized care and knowledge of Critical Care teams. In every hospital, first and foremost, the priority of all healthcare professionals is always to save lives. In Canada, organ donation is never considered until all lifesaving efforts have been exhausted and there is no chance of meaningful recovery.

At that time, organ donation would be considered. This is where the beautiful story of organ donation begins from the donor’s family, to those who receive the generous gift. And the ripple effect of the network of lives impacted with this decision to donate.

A heartbreaking ending leading to a beautiful beginning – organ donation.

10/21/2025

On Sunday afternoon, the clouds parted for the sun to come shining through, just in time for our Lower Mainland Donor Medal Ceremony.

It is always so special to honour the families of deceased organ donors who create such a profound impact with their decision to donate during their darkest times, bringing light to countless others.

After the formal ceremony, BCT staff and volunteers had the opportunity to learn more about our donor heroes as their loved ones shared their special memories with us. We learned about their kindness, their hobbies, the funny moments that still bring peals of laughter. We shared tears and smiles. We carry those stories and memories with us, always.

We were also gifted a memorable moment by the family of one of our deceased donors. They shared an Indigenous honour song from their First Nation to pay tribute to all our donors.

These ceremonies are special to all of us and truly encapsulate the power and beauty of organ donation.

(This year, deceased donor families were presented with a newly designed medal featuring the art of Coast Salish artist Margaret August. It's a small part of our work to create a culturally safe space for all our deceased donors and donor families. Read more on our website.)

10/17/2025

The Vancouver Donor Medal Ceremony is coming up on Sunday, October 19. Each year, ceremonies are held across the province to honour deceased organ donors and their families for their selfless decision – a decision that can save up to eight lives.

The impact of organ donation extends far beyond the recipients. Families, friends, and entire communities feel the ripple effect of this special gift.

These ceremonies are a meaningful way to recognize that impact and to express our deep gratitude. We hope deceased donor families feel the love and appreciation from recipients and staff for their decision to donate.

Read more about Donor Medal Ceremonies here: https://ow.ly/Xk8750X9rQl

10/16/2025

At this year’s donor medal ceremonies, BC Transplant is unveiling a newly designed medal featuring artwork created by Coast Salish artist Margaret August. The art tells the story of the gift of life, depicting double-headed serpents to represent rebirth, transformation and strength. The sun in the centre signifies hope and joy. At the ceremonies, donor families are presented with a medal in honour of their loved one and their gifts of life.

BCT organ donation coordinator Shannon McCloskey has attended more than ten ceremonies.

A Red River Métis person living away from her ancestral homeland, Shannon is trying to reconnect with her own Indigenous history while also caring for Indigenous families as they deal with the trauma of losing a loved one. She believes the new medal is a small way to recognize Indigenous culture and a reminder that everyone, including Indigenous peoples, should be offered the opportunity to make a decision regarding organ donation.

“People will say they heard First Nations people don’t donate so they don’t want to ask Indigenous families about organ donation. They think that is being culturally sensitive,” she explains. “But that can actually feed into the ongoing mistrust of the healthcare system because Indigenous peoples are being treated differently if we don’t offer them the choice. It’s ok for them to say no. It is not ok for them not to make that decision themselves.”

Read more the full story on our website.

10/13/2025

This Thanksgiving, we give thanks not only for the blessings in our own lives but for the incredible gift of life given by organ donors and their families.

Naomi’s story reminds us that behind every transplant is a family’s selfless act of love. It’s a second chance at life to continue living and fulfilling your dreams – in Naomi’s case, she’s going to be a nurse!

Let’s honour these heroes and spread awareness about the life-saving power of organ donation. Together, we can give the gift of hope and gratitude this season by registering your decision on organ donation at registeryourdecision.ca.

Happy Thanksgiving!

10/10/2025

Did you know that 90% of British Columbians believe in and support organ donation, but only 32% are registered?

While it may not be something we want to think about, it is often the most important things that require us to step outside our comfort zone, reflect and prioritize what matters.

We encourage you to keep an open mind and heart. Read stories of transplant recipients and donor families on our website: https://ow.ly/G4hz50X9vso

You may just get inspired to register your decision.

Hey, and don’t forget! Share your wishes with your family, you might just inspire them too.

Register now: https://ow.ly/JJHY50X9vsA

10/07/2025

No one likes to talk about death. We get it – it’s not an easy topic and we definitely don’t like to think about our loved ones dying.

We can all agree on one thing though; we can’t avoid it. So why not think about donating your organs to someone in dire need of one?

You don’t need your organs after you pass –
give someone the hope of getting their second chance at life.

Give it a thought.

Registeryourdecision.ca

10/06/2025

Over the weekend we had our first Donor Medal Ceremony of the year.

Our BCT staff were in Kelowna to honour all organ donors and their families for their selfless decision to donate.

Donor families always leave us in complete awe. The strength and courage it takes to make this decision when the family can be enveloped in the sadness of losing a loved one, is truly inspiring.

We were touched by many stories and recollections of memories of organ donors and we hope our families felt the honour and gratitude we all feel from the bottom of our hearts.

10/01/2025

Jen, mother of Connor, an organ donor, shares a deeply personal perspective on loss and hope. In the most difficult moment of her life, through the pain of saying goodbye, she found a glimmer of light in the gift of organ donation.

Her words remind us that even in grief, love echoes on, and through giving, new life begins.

To families like Jen’s, organ donation is more than a medical procedure — it’s a lasting legacy of love and hope.

09/30/2025

When we asked team members to reflect on what Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation mean to them, there was a common thread: we recognize and reflect on the harms done to Indigenous people and we reaffirm our commitment to working toward a health system that is free of Indigenous-specific racism and equitable for all.

Here are a few reflections from teams and individuals across PHSA.

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“We want to ensure that everyone, including Indigenous people who may have had different experiences within the health care system, feel safe and comfortable.”

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“Our team is reflecting on the lives lost and forever impacted by Residential Schools, and the lives we are continuing to lose because of the generational trauma felt by Residential School Survivors and their communities — with health outcomes like First Nations peoples dying from toxic drugs at a much higher rate than non-Indigenous peoples, and Indigenous men having the lowest life expectancy of anyone in Canada.”

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“We have a responsibility to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples in all that we do, and today, we are reaffirming our commitment to building trust with Indigenous communities.”

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“As a team, we are taking time to reflect on the legacy of the colonial system and its continued impact on the health and justice outcomes of Indigenous peoples.”

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“I am reflecting on the harms to Indigenous peoples by the colonial government of Canada and BC, and the atrocity of removing children from their homes – where some children sadly never made it home.”

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“We honour the courage, resilience, and collective strength of Indigenous communities as they reclaim their heritage and culture.”

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“Through learning more about Indigenous culture, I’ve come to deeply appreciate their sustainable way of living — taking only what they need and respecting what Mother Earth provides. It’s a powerful reminder of how interconnected we are with the land and each other.”

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“Each of us is on our own important journey of relearning. It takes time to face truths, unlearn biases, and grow in our understanding.”

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Today, and every day, take the time to learn about the harms done to Indigenous Peoples and reflect on how you can contribute to reconciliation.

Address

1770 West 7th Avenue, #260
Vancouver, BC
V5Z3X7

Website

http://www.transplant.bc.ca/

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Our Story

BC Transplant (BCT), established in 1986, directs, delivers or contracts for all organ transplant services across BC. As a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority, BCT is funded through the BC Ministry of Health. BC Transplant believes that the health-restoring benefits of organ transplant services should be available to those individuals who meet the suitability and eligibility criteria for transplantation in British Columbia.