Why Research Matters

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 British Columbia, outcomes are amongst the best in the country and the world. A dedicated team of clinicians and researchers constantly contribute new understanding to this specialized field of medicine.

In 2023, there were 563 organ transplants performed in B.C., thanks to the gifts of life from 160 deceased donors and 77 living donors. Currently, more than 6000 British Columbians are alive today because of organ donation.

But all of those people are living on borrowed time. Transplant is not a cure.

Outcomes have improved dramatically, at least in the short term. But long-term survival is still a challenge.

One of the biggest barriers to long-term quality of life for transplant recipients is the body’s immune system. There is still much to learn about how our immunological responses can lead to life-threatening acute or chronic rejection. A complex cocktail of immunosuppressant drugs keeps rejection in check, but it is a delicate balancing act between the benefits of the toxic medication and the negatives of wide-ranging side effects — 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.

At one year, heart transplant patients have a survival rate of 81% and at five years that survival rate drops to 75%. But we have not seen a similar jump in long-term (10+ years) graft survival. For example, at 15 years post-transplant for adult heart patients, the survival rate is less than 40%.

Each patient also requires extensive monitoring to ensure any complications are managed as quickly as possible. For most organs, the only way to check for rejection is through a biopsy — a time-consuming, costly and invasive procedure. But often, signs of rejection or organ failure are not evident until the damage is irreversible, leading to another transplant, or sometimes death.

For everyone, the ultimate goal is a long and healthy life for patients and their gifted organs, without the need for aggressive immunosuppressive drugs or invasive testing. We may be close. But we need your support to continue this exciting work. Help our brilliant researchers push boundaries, access cutting-edge technologies, and collaborate with other experts around the world. Together, we can make transplant a cure.