Organ Donation and Transplant Research Foundation of BC

02/11/2026

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re celebrating the brilliant women transforming transplant medicine.

Among them is researcher Reetinder Kaur, whose work is addressing racial and gender inequities in organ donation and transplantation. Learn more about her journey into science and what drives her to improve equitable access to transplant care: https://www.odtrf.org/women-in-science-spotlight-reetinder-kaur/

02/05/2026

Halfway there and making a difference! This Heart Month, we checked in with Wynne Chiu, project lead, on the Peer Mentorship Program in Practice as it moves into its next phase.

“We’re excited to share that we’re officially more than halfway through the Peer Mentorship Program in Practice (PMP‑IP) study for St. Paul’s Hospital’s provincial heart transplant program. Objective 1 of the study is now completed, with patients, caregivers, and clinicians contributing valuable insights through focus groups to help refine our implementation blueprint. These perspectives informed our thematic analysis and updates to the PMP outline-and now we’re moving ahead with the second half of the study-implementation and matching of mentors with mentees!

We anticipate this program will enhance clinical care by offering patients “beyond-the-clinic” peer support that is practical, realistic, and reassuring in a way only someone with lived experience can provide. One of the biggest (and most encouraging) surprises has been the enthusiasm exhibited by patients! Patients have displayed a real eagerness to give back as mentors, with just as many excited to connect as mentees. Stay tuned as we bring this next phase to life!

A new study will evaluate the implementation of a peer mentorship program (PMP) to improve patients’ experience of the journey of care to and after heart transplant.

01/28/2026

2025 was a remarkable year for organ donation and transplantation in B.C.

Behind every successful transplant is years of research. Research that improves donor and recipient matching, immunosuppression management, and patient outcomes. Research also ensures donation opportunities are maximized, so more people can give, and receive, the gift of life.

Today we take a moment to reflect back as we release BC’s organ donation and transplant statistics from 2025💚. 575 people received an organ transplant in 2025, that is 575 people who were gifted a second chance at life.

This is entirely thanks to the selfless decision of 146 deceased donors and 86 living donors. Throughout this week, we’ll be sharing stories, statistics, and key facts behind these numbers, all made possible because individuals and their families chose to give organ donation a chance. Their generosity, love, and hope leave a lasting impact on transplant recipients, their loved ones, and the healthcare professionals who support them every step of the way.

Provincial Health Services Authority - PHSA, Providence Health Care, Interior Health, Island Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, Northern Health, Fraser Health

01/27/2026

Dr. Vikas Sridhar, recipient of our 2025 Venture Grant, is exploring how combining certain medications could better protect the heart and kidneys of people living with a kidney transplant. By taking into account the perspective of both patients and doctors, this study aims to create more personalized care that improves the health and quality of life of patients after transplant.

Learn more: https://www.odtrf.org/research/organ-donation-and-transplant-research-foundation-of-bc-cdtrp-venture-grants/current-venture-grants/

01/21/2026

Attention BC-based researchers!

We’re excited to partner once again with the CDTRP - Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program for the Research Innovation Competition. The ODTRF will fund up to 2 Venture Grants focused on advancing organ donation and transplantation science.

For more info: https://cdtrp.ca/en/support-for-research/cdtrp-innovation-grant-competition/

01/09/2026

As we head into the 2026 grant funding season, we reflect on the impactful research supported by ODTRF in 2025. One such project, led by Vancouver Coastal Health’s Dr. Myp Sekhon and Dr. Sonny Thiara, aims to develop a non-invasive, generalizable blood test to more accurately predict dying duration. This work has the potential to improve end-of-life care and support more informed decision making in organ donation.

A new year brings renewed opportunity for discovery. Stay tuned to see what revolutionary work we fund in 2026!

To learn more visit: https://www.odtrf.org/research/organ-donation-and-transplant-research-foundation-of-bc-cdtrp-venture-grants/current-venture-grants/

12/26/2025

Research doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s made possible by patients, families, clinician scientists and supporters who believe in better outcomes.

This holiday season, and as we look ahead to the new year, we are thankful to everyone who helps makes this work possible.

We invite you to watch our holiday video featuring members of our community expressing their gratitude (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_9Wbo06Ndyc&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwO6w1xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacjQgGdfnY1Nq0q7XNnAVwHLvT7t6ULOgce3USVq87C1mHaIW0oWbchRMqJ0g_aem_M4y9rYZwcgzRXfiNTMubVg)

12/23/2025

“I would like to give thanks to transplant researchers and clinicians for their continuous pursuit of advancements in medicine and preventative care. This means a better quality of life for patients like me and enjoying the holidays with family, outside of hospitals.”

As a double lung transplant recipient, Nick Kanaan knows the vital role health care workers play in caring for patients and advancing research that directly impacts organ donors, recipients, and their families.

His message of thanks is to health care professionals whose dedication makes brighter, healthier holidays possible for patients and families everywhere.

12/17/2025

To capture the spirit of the holiday season, we asked transplant recipients and living donors to share messages of gratitude. What shines through in every message is a deep appreciation for the generosity that makes the gift of life possible and drives progress in organ donation and transplant science.

12/16/2025

Your voices matters!

A new study examines how COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses continue to affect child and adult transplant recipients and their family members and caregivers living in Canada. This study is working with 11 transplant centres in Canada, including the three main transplant centres in British Columbia.

ODTRF is proud to support the B.C. arm of the study.

Enrol now by visiting. https://bit.ly/40OVTv0

12/10/2025

This holiday season, Ian is sharing a message of gratitude to everyone who gave on Giving Tuesday and to those considering a donation:

“Thank you for your generosity. Your support helps fund research that makes life better for kids like me.”

A liver transplant as an infant gave Ian a second chance at life. Now, nearly 15 years later, he knows the vital role research plays in improving outcomes for recipients.

12/02/2025

This , your gift can help drive the next breakthrough in organ donation and transplant science.

Your support fuels researchers whose ideas can revolutionize transplant medicine, improve outcomes, and transform lives. Researchers like Dr. Megan Levings and Dr. James Lan, whose pioneering work is advancing donor–recipient matching, driving novel cell-based therapies to improve long-term transplant success, reducing the need for lifelong medications, and even earning recognition in a recent Nobel Prize summary.

When you support ODTRF, you’re not just making a donation, you’re giving hope to patients and families for a brighter future.

Read more about Dr. Levigns’ and Dr. Lan’s groundbreaking work by visiting: https://www.odtrf.org/every-breakthrough-has-a-beginning-the-power-of-donor-support/

Donate to support the next breakthrough:
https://join.vghfoundation.ca/give/341145/ #!/donation/checkout?utm_source=trfbc.org&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=trfbc&c_src=website&c_src2=trfbc-dot-org