About

Who We Are

Every year more than 500 British Columbians receive the ultimate gift –
a second chance at life.

However, due to the complexities of transplantation, these recipients are still living on borrowed time. The care of transplant patients remains one of the most challenging fields in modern medicine.

At the Organ Donation and Transplant Research Foundation of BC (ODTRF), we are committed to changing this narrative. We are dedicated to supporting innovative organ donation and transplantation research to benefit the lives of organ recipients, living donors and caregivers, and improve the process for deceased donors and their families. Each year the ODTRF provides funding to B.C. scientists through the Venture Grant program, practice-based research partnerships, and other funding endeavours.

Our Mission

To support innovative, patient-centered organ donation and transplantation research that will provide solutions to benefit those whose lives are threatened by organ failure and to improve the experience of donation for living and deceased donors and their families.

Our Vision

Leading edge research, new treatments and novel technologies that will ultimately eliminate the waitlist and make transplant a cure.

Originally founded as the BC Transplant Research Foundation, the ODTRF was established in 1992 with funding and administrative support provided by BC Transplant. We remain the only charitable foundation in Canada dedicated solely to funding peer-reviewed organ donation and transplantation research.

I hope research makes transplant a cure. Ideally a gifted organ should last a lifetime. Our future lies in research.

Shelby Gielen

2x liver recipient

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Why Research

Organ transplantation is often called a marvel of modern medicine, only made possible through decades of dedication and perseverance by thousands around the world.

Now, clinical and surgical procedures that were once considered experimental or groundbreaking are commonplace.

The tireless work of researchers has improved the donation experience for donors and families, increased the number of organs available for transplant, reduced the risks of organ rejection, and improved outcomes for transplant recipients.

In 2023 alone, 563 transplants were performed in BC, made possible by the generosity of 160 deceased and 77 living donors. Today, over 6,000 British Columbians are alive because of organ donation. 

However, long-term survival remains a significant challenge. Many recipients face the risk of organ rejection and serious side effects from immunosuppressant drugs including a twofold increase in the risk of certain cancers, infections, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney damage. When the immune system is knocked down with drugs, the body no longer naturally fights off bacteria, viruses or cancer cells.

For example, at 15 years post-transplant for adult heart recipients, the survival rate is less than 40%. Lung recipients have an even tougher road: just over half live longer than five years.

 We aim for a future where organ recipients lead long, healthy lives—free from toxic medications and invasive tests. With your support, our researchers can push the boundaries of science, access cutting-edge technology, and collaborate globally with other experts around the world. Together, we can make transplant a cure.

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