A record-breaking number of British Columbians received an organ transplant in 2018, the province’s health authority announced Thursday.
Just over 500 transplants were received in the province last year – compared to 479 in 2017 – and deceased donor rates have increased by 71 per cent compared to five years ago. Last Oct. 24 marked the 50th anniversary of the first organ transplant in B.C.
“I’m proud to celebrate the selfless act of donation from so many British Columbians,” said Adrian Dix, B.C.’s health minister. “This record number of transplants is a testament to the spirit of our residents, who gave the greatest gift of all last year—the chance at a new life for others.”
As well, a milestone number was reached last year in kidney transplants at 339, as a result of B.C.’s focus on encouraging living kidney donations. There were also 28 heart transplants in 2018, 50 lung transplants and 77 liver transplants.
Currently, there are more than 1.35 million B.C. residents who have registered to be an organ donor. However, as of Jan. 1, 669 people are still waiting for an organ transplant and 27 people died while on the transplant wait list last year.
“I am so grateful for the generosity of not one, but two families who have had the strength to say yes to organ donation in the midst of tragedy,” says Katie Welsh. She was Canada’s first pediatric heart-transplant recipient in 1987, and underwent her second heart transplant at St. Paul’s Hospital last year. “I am a mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend because of them.”
For more information on organ transplants in B.C., visit www.transplant.bc.ca.
