Current Venture Grants

The Experiences of Deceased Organ Donor Families and Transplant Recipients of Organ Donation Organization-Supported Direct Contact

When someone receives a life saving organ transplant, both the donor family and the transplant recipient may wish to connect with one another. For some people, this connection can help with healing, gratitude, and meaning making after a profound life event. In the past, strict rules required donor families and recipients to remain anonymous. More recently, some programs in Canada have begun to allow direct contact when both sides want it and are carefully supported. However, little research exists to guide how these direct connections should happen safely and respectfully. This study will explore the experiences of adult donor family members and adult transplant recipients who have taken part in a supported direct contact program in British Columbia.

The program includes preparation, consent, and support from trained social workers. By listening to people who have already participated, the study aims to understand what worked well, what was challenging, and what kinds of support helped people feel safe and prepared. Participants will take part in one-on-one interviews to share their experiences, including why they chose direct contact, how the process felt, and how the relationship developed over time. The study will pay close attention to emotional well being, expectations, boundaries, and any unexpected difficulties. The findings will help improve how direct contact programs are designed and delivered in British Columbia and provide guidance for other provinces considering similar approaches.

By supporting donor families and transplant recipients thoughtfully and ethically, this research contributes to a donation system that respects people’s wishes, builds public trust, and strengthens the culture of organ donation in Canada.

Primary Investigator: Dr. Alice Virani and Jordan Hermiston

Co-investigators: Dr. Nicholas Murphy, Dr. Charles Weijer, and Dr. Marat Slessarev

Patient Partner: Carrie Jung and Ranjeet Dhaliwal

For an up-to-date list of publications by Dr. Alice Virani, please see ResearchGate

For an up-to-date list of publications by Jordan Hermiston, please see ResearchGate

Eliminating Static Cold Ischemia in Pancreas Preservation: A Pilot Study of Continuous Hypothermic Perfusion from Donor Procurement to Islet Isolation

When a pancreas is donated for transplantation, it must be preserved during transport from the donor hospital to the transplant center. Today, this is done by placing the organ on ice. While cooling slows down damage, it does not stop it completely. Much like food kept in a refrigerator, the organ continues to slowly deteriorate over time. For the pancreas, this is especially important because the insulin-producing cells (islets) are very sensitive and can be easily damaged. As a result, many donated pancreases yield too few healthy cells, and patients often need cells from multiple donors to become insulin free.

This study is testing a new way to better protect the pancreas during this critical period. Instead of placing the organ on ice, the pancreas will be connected to a machine immediately after donation that gently pumps a cold, oxygen-rich fluid through it. This keeps the tissue actively supported by providing vital oxygen and nutrients instead of leaving it to slowly degrade.

The research team will compare this approach with the current standard by studying donated pancreases that cannot be used for transplantation because of donor-recipient matching constraints. They will evaluate the health and function of the insulin-producing cells to determine whether this method improves outcomes. The ultimate goal of this research is to preserve more viable cells from each donated pancreas. If successful, this approach could reduce the number of donors needed per patient and support better, longer-lasting transplant outcomes.

Primary Investigator: Dr. Michael Bleszynski

Co-investigators: Dr. Nicola Colucci

Patient Partner: TBD

For an up-to-date list of publications by Dr. Michael Bleszynski, please see ResearchGate