VANCOUVER – Another record has been set for transplants performed in B.C.
Three hundred and forty six transplants were carried out in B.C. in 2013, providing a new chance at life for many patients. That’s 40 more transplants than the year before.
“To see so many British Columbians receive another chance at life through organ donation and transplant is encouraging,” said Terry Lake, Minister of Health, “and a sign that the work being done throughout the province to support donation and transplant is making a difference.”
In all, 197 British Columbians donated organs in 2013 (130 living donors and 67 deceased donors).
Living kidney donation contributed to the greatest increase in kidney transplant numbers. The increase can be attributed to several factors – the ability of the transplant centres to fast track assessment of potential living donors; greater public awareness; and B.C.’s participation at the national level in programs such as the Living Donor Paired Exchange, managed by Canadian Blood Services, to connect non-matching donors and recipients with other potential matches across Canada.
B.C.’s donors per million population rate for 2013 continues to lead the country for living donation at 28 donors per million population.
The rate for deceased donation, of 14.5 donors per million population, is on par with the national average.
Approximately 495 people in B.C. are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant.
Register to be an organ donor at transplant.bc.ca