A record-breaking year for organ transplants in BC, made possible by 232 donors
By Province of British Columbia
A record 575 people in British Columbia received the gift of life in 2025, thanks to the incredible generosity of 232 organ donors, including 146 deceased donors and their families and 86 living donors. This is the highest number of organ transplants ever performed in the province in a single year. (Full annual summary available here)
“We extend our deepest gratitude to deceased donors and their families, who chose compassion in moments of profound loss,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “We also recognize the extraordinary commitment of living donors, whose courage and altruism are exceptional. Every donor leaves a lasting legacy of hope.”
That legacy is deeply personal for the family of Kip McLeod. Kip registered as an organ donor after his mother Kathleen received a heart transplant in 2016. When Kip suddenly passed away in March 2025, less than a year after his mother’s death, his family was determined to honour his final wish.
“It is surreal to be on the other side of the story, and I hope the three people who received my brother’s gifts of life are having as much joy as we did when my mom received her transplant,” said Heather Hennan, Kip’s sister. “Kip would be so proud to know he has made such a meaningful difference for three other families.”
The 575 organ transplants performed in BC in 2025 include 357 kidney transplants (a new record), 107 liver transplants, 66 double-lung transplants, 30 heart transplants and 25 pancreas and islet transplants (a new record). These figures include multi-organ transplants, comprising eight kidney-pancreas transplants, one kidney-liver transplant and one kidney-heart transplant.
BC Transplant is also recognizing an historic milestone: more than 8,000 kidney transplants have now been performed in British Columbia since the province’s first kidney transplant in 1968.
“This milestone of 8,083 represents far more than a number,” said Eric Lun, Executive Director at BC Transplant. “Each kidney transplant, along with thousands of other transplants, has had a profound impact, extending beyond patients and their families, strengthening communities across the province and improving the healthcare system for all.”
Kelowna resident Troy Chapman is one of the 357 people in BC to receive a kidney transplant in 2025. He is already back at work and exercising regularly, just three months after his kidney transplant at St. Paul’s Hospital.
“I am so thankful to the donor family. They had a big loss. It has given me a new lease on life and I am so appreciative,” said Troy. “I am trying to do as much as I can and not waste this gift.”
BC Transplant also acknowledges the many health care teams around the province — including ICU teams, surgeons, nurses, physicians, allied health professionals, laboratory staff, and support teams — whose expertise and compassion make donation and transplantation possible.
Are you a registered organ donor? It only takes two minutes and your Personal Health Number. Visit registeryourdecision.ca.
Quick Facts:
- For the first time in 2025, BC Transplant partnered with the Canada Revenue Agency on a new initiative to grow organ donor registrations. Between September and the end of December 2025, more than 17,000 British Columbians registered their decision through the email campaign. As of December 31, 2025, there are now 1,626,051 British Columbians in the Organ Donor Registry.
- In 2025, BC Transplant launched a first-in-Canada electronic platform to simplify the organ donor referral process, significantly increasing referrals at the pilot sites.
BC Transplant, a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), provides provincial oversight for all aspects of organ donation and transplantation in BC. BC’s three transplant centres are BC Children’s Hospital, St Paul’s Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital. Transplant patients receive follow up care at the transplant centres or at one of eight regional clinics close to their home community. For more information, visit www.transplant.bc.ca or follow us on Instagram @BC_Transplant and on Facebook @BCTransplant.
The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provides specialized health care services and programs to communities across British Columbia, the territories of many distinct First Nations. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured this land for all time, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlil̓w̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations on whose unceded and ancestral territory our head office is located. We work in partnership with other B.C. health authorities and the provincial government to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us @PHSAofBC.
