A Kelowna man was back at work three months after receiving a kidney transplant.
Troy Chapman was one of 575 people – a record number – who received an organ transplant last year in B.C.
“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,” Chapman said. “I am trying to do as much as I can and not waste this gift.”
The organs were retrieved from 232 donors, including 86 living donors. The transplants break down this way: 357 kidney transplants, 107 liver transplants, 66 double-lung transplants, 30 heart transplants, and 25 pancreas transplants. In some cases, recipients received multiple new organs.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to deceased donors and their families,” health minister Josie Osborne said. “We also recognize the extraordinary commitment of living donors, whose courage and altruism are exceptional. Every donor leaves a lasting legacy of hope.”
Last year, for the first time, BC Transplant partnered with the Canada Revenue Agency on an initiative to boost organ donor registrations. Between September and December, more than 17,000 British Columbias agreed to become organ donors through an email campaign.
At year end, there were 1.6 million British Columbians on the organ donor registry.
Nevertheless, wait times for those needing new organs can be significant, and 13 British Columbians died in 2024 while waiting for a transplant. The national annual average is about 250 deaths.
Currently, 626 people in B.C. are waiting for an organ transplant.
