Living Organ Donation Fact Sheet
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The first living donor kidney transplant in BC was performed in 1976. Since then, 862 living donor kidney transplants have been performed in the province. Each year there are twice as many living donor kidney transplants as kidney transplants from deceased donors. On average 30 British Columbians are waiting for a liver transplant. Unfortunately some of them will die while waiting. The first living donor liver transplant in BC was performed in 2001. Since then, 13 living donor liver transplants have been performed in the province. BC Transplant Society was the first in the world to undertake a comprehensive study to examine the practical, psycho-social, and ethical issues surrounding living anonymous donation, where someone would donate a kidney to someone they don’t know. To date, four living anonymous donor kidney transplants have been performed in BC Close to 300 British Columbians are currently waiting for a kidney transplant. Hundreds more are on kidney dialysis, most of whom will eventually need a kidney transplant. Depending on blood type, the wait for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor could be up to eight to ten years. With living donation, the wait is much less—saving the healthcare system money and restoring one’s quality of life sooner. Kidney transplants are very successful. In fact, the five year graft survival rate averages over 90%. For liver transplants the five year survival rate is more than 75%.
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For further information: Ken Donohue Manager of Communications, BC Transplant Society 604.877.2240 Ken_Donohue@bcts.hnet.bc.ca
Pauline Buck, APR Communications Manager The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch, 604-736-9775 paulineb@kidney.bc.ca