BC Transplant Program
Organ Transplantation Fact Sheet
- There is a chronic shortage of hearts, lungs, kidneys and livers for transplant in BC as the need far outweighs the number of organs available for transplant. There are more than 300 British Columbians currently awaiting organ transplants and hundreds more awaiting corneal transplants.
- Some organs that could be available for transplant are lost because the decision of the loved one is not known by their family.
- Many of those waiting for a solid organ transplant die while waiting for a suitable transplant.
- Survival rates of transplant patients continue to improve, providing recipients with an extended and high quality of life.
- Transplants are cost-effective. For those with kidney disease, the average cost of dialysis treatment is $50,000 a year. By comparison, the one-time cost of a kidney transplant in BC is approximately $20,000, with an additional yearly cost of about $6,000 for anti-rejection medications.
- Since 1968, when the first kidney transplant was performed in BC, more than 4,500 transplants have been performed in BC.
- 1999 was the first year where more living donor kidney transplants were performed than deceased donor kidney transplants.
Number of solid organ and islet cell transplants performed in BC in 2008:
Total: 266
- 167 kidney (80 Living Donor, 87 Deceased Donor)
- 47 liver (2 Living Donor, 45 Deceased Donor)
- 17 heart
- 1 pancreas-kidney
- 5 pancreas
- 15 pancreas-islet
- 8 single-lung
- 6 double-lung
How does anyone know if I am registered on the Organ Donor Registry?Frequently Asked Questions
Q:I currently have an organ donordecal on my CareCard. Do I still need to register and fill out the Organ Donor Registry form?
A: YES. The Organ Donor Registry replaced all previous ways of indicating your decision about organ donation. If you wish to be an organ donor, you can register online, or request registration forms by contacting BC Transplant at: BCTS_Webmaster@bcts.hnet.bc.ca , 604-877-2240 or toll free at 1-800-663-6189.
Q:
A:Once a person completes their organ donor registration form it is entered into a secure, computerized database-the Organ Donor Registry (ODR). At the time of death, hospital personnel would access the ODR using the individual's Personal Health Number (BC CareCard). If the individual is registered, a copy of their registration form is printed, verified, and then shown to their family. The individual's decision would then be followed through.
Q: Is there an age limit to register for organ donation?A: No, there is no age limit to register. The health of the organs rather than the age of the individual will determine whether the organs can be transplanted.
Q:If I am a registered organ donor, will health care providers make every effort to save my life?
A:Yes. First and foremost the duty of health care providers is to save lives. In addition, BC's Human Tissue Gift Act states that the death of a potential organ donor must be declared by two doctors, independent of BC Transplant and the caring physician. The Organ Donor Registry is only accessed at the time of a death.
Q: Are there any costs involved to the family in organ donation?A: No, all costs of organ donation are covered by BC Transplant.
Q: Can I register my children on the Organ Donor Registry?
A: Yes, you can register your children online, or you can request a registration form. You will need to sign the Registration on their behalf, if under the age of 19.
Q:Can I donate my organs if I have a medical condition?
A: Yes, everyone should register their decision regardless of any medical conditions. A medical team does a thorough examination of every potential donor to determine what organs can be used for transplant.
Q: When I sign up on the Organ Donor Registry, does that include donating Bone Marrow?
A: No. If you would like to donate bone marrow, you must contact Canadian Blood Services at http://www.blood.ca/ or (604) 737-1811 or toll free at 1-888-737-1811.
Q: I can't donate blood in Canada, can I still be an organ donor?
A: Yes. A medical team does a thorough examination of every potential donor to determine what organs can be used for transplant. Every British Columbian can register on the Organ Donor Registry. Please contact BC Transplant if you have any questions.
Q: Does a member of my family still have to give consent after I register?
A: No, your organ donor registration is a legal document. Healthcare providers are required to respect your decision. If appropriate, we would encourage you to discuss your decision in advance with your family.
Q:What organs/tissues can be donated?
A: The heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, kidneys, heart valves, cornea, tissues, bones, skin, tendons and ligaments can be donated. Click here to learn more about how these organs and tissues are used for transplant.
Q:Are donor families informed of which organs and tissues were transplanted, and to whom they were given?
A: BC Transplant sends a letter to the donor's family stating which organs and tissues were transplanted. Often recipients will write letters of thanks to the donor families. Names are kept confidential and are not given to the donor or recipient families.
Q:Are there any costs involved to the family for organ donation?
A: No, all costs of organ donation are covered by BC Transplant.
Q:If I consent to transplant research (option 1 on the organ donor registration form), what does that mean?
A: Consenting to transplant research allows blood and tissue samples to be taken at the time of organ recovery, to be used for transplant specific research.
Transplant research should not be confused with donating your body to science, for anatomy or medical studies. In order to donate your body to anatomy or medical studies you must make separate arrangements through the Anatomy Department at the University of British Columbia at 604-822-2578.Q:What is living organ donation?
A: An individual can potentially donate one of their kidneys, or portion of liver, to someone they know, such as a family member, spouse, friend, or co-worker. In the case of kidney donation, someone could even donate to someone they don't know through BC's Living Anonymous Donor program. Living donors can lead healthy lives. Click herefor more information on living organ donation.
Q:If a donor is outside the Lower Mainland, where are the organs recovered?
A: A surgical team will fly to the hospital where the donor is located. The organs are recovered and brought back to Vancouver where the waiting recipient is transplanted.
Q:How long does the organ donation process take?
A: The organ donation process takes approximately 24 hours. After donation, the body is released to the family for funeral arrangements.
Q:Can a donor still have an open casket funeral?
A: Yes. Organs are always carefully removed and incisions closed by a surgical team. The body is at all times treated with the utmost respect.
Q:How many people are on the transplant wait-list in British Columbia?
A: Currently, there are over 300 British Columbians waiting for a solid organ transplant. Thousands more are currently on kidney dialysis and most will one day be on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
Q:Why are there so few donors in BC?
A: On average, there are 25,000 deaths in BC each year. Less than 1% of those will die in a way that leads to organ donation. Of those 1%, the majority will be deemed unsuitable for transplant, creating a shortage of organs for transplant. In 2008, there were 54 deceased organ donors