THERE were 326 transplants performed in British Columbia in 2014, providing a new chance at life for patients on the organ transplant waitlist.

Organ donation rates in the province continue to be strong. With 107 living donors in 2014, B.C.’s living donor rate of 23 donors per million leads the country (national rate 15.5 as of 2012). The province’s deceased donor rate of 14.8 donors per million population (69 deceased donors in 2014), is just under the national rate of 15.5 (2012), and leads all other western provinces.

The most significant increase in deceased donation in the province in 2014 came from Vancouver Island hospitals, accounting for 21 deceased organ donors (triple the Island’s five-year average of seven donors per year). Several factors contributed to the increase in deceased donation on the Island: the work of the physician lead and in-hospital donation coordinator; expansion of donation after cardiac death as a donation option; and increased education and support for staff working in critical care areas.

Highlights for 2014:

• Total number of transplants – 326
• Record Number of deceased donations from Vancouver Island – 21 (7 in 2013)
• Record number of liver transplants from deceased donors – 60 – (58 in 2013 and 2012)
• Record number of transplants at BC Children’s Hospital – 13 – (12 in 2010)
• Lung transplants – 24 (21 in 2013)
• Deceased donors – 69 (67 in 2013)

Over 450 people in B.C. are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant. While 95% of British Columbians agree with organ donation, only 20% have registered their decision. Register your decision online at transplant.bc.ca.

Health Minister Terry Lake said: “Each year when I look at the BC Transplant statistics, it’s the stories behind the numbers that are most powerful. The stories of people who made a selfless decision to give life to another person, and the people whose lives are forever changed through transplant – that’s the true measure of success.”

Dr. Greg Grant, Provincial Executive Director, BC Transplant, said: “Support for organ donation at the hospital level is key, and so it is great to see that the investment we’ve made in that area is having an impact. We are developing strong partnerships with each of the health authorities and the success with Island Health gives us confidence that donation rates across the province will continue to increase.”   

Dr. Brendan Carr, CEO, Island Health, said: “We are very proud of the work that has been done to change the culture around organ donation within Island Health. It is important to give families the opportunity to create something positive from a tragic event. Our caregivers are providing families with choices many wouldn’t have had before, in a caring and compassionate way, understanding that whatever decision they make is the right one for them.”

Richard Dobbs, double lung recipient, May 2014 (Vancouver), said: “2014 was a hugely transformative year for me. I started the year carrying an oxygen tank with me everywhere, unable to walk with my friends, to having virtually no limits. Because I was fortunate enough to have a transplant, my whole life has opened up and the possibilities are endless.”

Morag Mochan, two-time liver recipient, March 2014 (1^st liver transplant in 2001) (Victoria), said: “I had 12 years of really good health because of the generosity from someone I’ve never met. And again, this past year, receiving my second liver transplant, I am able to continue to have a fulfilling life, be useful, help people and watch my grandchildren grow up – it is such a joy.”

BC Stats 2014 – 2010