There are more than 450 people awaiting organ transplants and an additional 900 awaiting corneal transplants. Approximately one of every three organs that could be available for transplant is lost because the wishes of the loved one are not known by their family. Many of those waiting for a solid organ transplant die on the waiting list. Demand for transplants is increasing while the number of organ donors remains unchanged. Survival rates of transplant patients continue to improve, providing recipients with an extended and high quality of life.
Transplants are cost-effective.
1995 - 178 solid organ transplant procedures were performed. 1997 was a record year for transplantation in BC with 198 solid organ transplant procedures performed. 1999 - 197 solid organ transplant procedures were performed. 1999 was the first year where more living donor kidney transplants were performed than cadaveric kidney transplants.