Organ Donation and Transplant Research Foundation of BC

12/02/2025

This , your gift can help drive the next breakthrough in organ donation and transplant science.

Your support fuels researchers whose ideas can revolutionize transplant medicine, improve outcomes, and transform lives. Researchers like Dr. Megan Levings and Dr. James Lan, whose pioneering work is advancing donor–recipient matching, driving novel cell-based therapies to improve long-term transplant success, reducing the need for lifelong medications, and even earning recognition in a recent Nobel Prize summary.

When you support ODTRF, you’re not just making a donation, you’re giving hope to patients and families for a brighter future.

Read more about Dr. Levigns’ and Dr. Lan’s groundbreaking work by visiting: https://www.odtrf.org/every-breakthrough-has-a-beginning-the-power-of-donor-support/

Donate to support the next breakthrough:
https://join.vghfoundation.ca/give/341145/ #!/donation/checkout?utm_source=trfbc.org&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=trfbc&c_src=website&c_src2=trfbc-dot-org

11/19/2025

Have you seen our new research poster in the Transplant Clinic at Vancouver General Hospital?

Located on the 5th floor of the Diamond Building, this wall decal helps spotlight the life-changing research happening right here in B.C., made possible through ODTRF’s support. Our Co-chair, Rachael Durie, recently stopped by to check it out.

Next time you’re at clinic, take a moment to learn how you can help advance organ donation and transplant research in our province.

11/11/2025

On this Remembrance Day we pause and remember all the individuals who have fought for our freedom. We are eternally grateful for their sacrifices. 🇨🇦

11/10/2025

It’s that time of year again! Time to kick off the holidays with purchasing your delicious We 💚Addison chocolate bars, available in milk and dark chocolate. All proceeds support pediatric transplant research to help young recipients live long and healthy lives! Details:

* $8 / 85g bar (milk or dark chocolate available)
* Deadline for orders is November 17
* Bars will be ready for Vancouver pick-up/drop-off by December 1
* Please fill out order form (https://forms.gle/rGNw2yDSbeJD3uAdA)
* Payment via e-transfer or cash/cheque when you get the bars

Together we can help make transplant a cure!

10/31/2025

With the retirement of longtime chair Lori Lothian, we’re thrilled to welcome our new ODTRF Co-chairs, Rachael Durie and Ghislaine Pilon!

Rachael, a living kidney donor to her late husband, brings a deep understanding of the donation and transplant journey and has served on our board for several years. Ghislaine joins us as the mother of a double liver transplant recipient, bringing new insight and passion.

We’re honoured to have Rachael and Ghislaine helping lead the next chapter of ODTRF.

Image L to R: Rachael, Lori and Ghislaine

10/24/2025

Join us in celebrating the remarkable leadership of Lori Lothian who is retiring after more than a decade of dedicated service as cochair and chair of ODTRF.

Motivated in part by her husband Tom’s liver transplant, Lori has shown unwavering dedication to advancing organ donation and transplant science. Through her leadership, ODTRF has become a driving force for innovative organ donation and transplant research in B.C., empowering investigators to turn bold ideas into life-changing discoveries.

Thank you, Lori, for your commitment and lasting impact.

10/22/2025

There is still time to register for this important webinar being held today!

Conversations about Health in Black Communities — Family Past, Family Future
📅 Oct 22, 2025 | 🕚7–9 PM EDT | 📍Zoom

Register now: https://cdtrp.zoom.us/meeting/register/qgxk0-59SqaWQmGQoCcPuQ

📢Pediatric Liver Transplantation Webinar - October 22 Webinar

Conversations about Health in Black Communities — Family Past, Family Future
📅 Oct 22, 2025 | 🕚7–9 PM EDT | 📍Zoom

Hear from Kwameah Anoush Bennett as she shares her son’s pediatric liver transplant journey and the unspoken truths of family, culture, and advocacy in healthcare.

Key topics will include:
- Pediatric liver transplantation
- Knowing your family medical history
- Unspoken truths and cultural realities
- Caregiver mental health and advocacy

Register now: https://cdtrp.zoom.us/meeting/register/qgxk0-59SqaWQmGQoCcPuQ

10/15/2025

ODTRF-funded clinical nurse educator Florence Tsai is exploring the experience of living kidney donors at St. Paul’s Hospital as part of her recent Research Challenge award.

With the help of her team—Juna Kim, Alisa Sirosis, and Reema Kandola—Florence is bringing patient voices to the forefront of donation and transplant research to improve the care of living kidney donors.

Learn more about this vital study by visiting: https://www.odtrf.org/research/research-challenge/current-grants/

10/14/2025

We love Gale Ladua — an incredible research coordinator who has been instrumental in advancing the ODTRF co-funded TREAT-COVID project. Gale’s commitment to supporting patients to take part in studies have been vital to the project’s success and helps shapes research that truly reflects the patient experience.

Q: What is your role in health research? A: I work as a clinical research coordinator under the guidance of Dr. Sara Belga in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of British Columbia (UBC). My responsibilities include managing ethics applications, recruiting study participants and c...

10/10/2025

What an incredible evening! Thank you to everyone who made our Celebrate Transplant event last week such a success—from our amazing speakers and volunteers to all who joined us in celebrating innovation, partnership, and the gift of life.

09/30/2025

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation we honour the lived experiences of Indigenous communities.

Today is a time for reflection, learning, and a renewed commitment to truth, justice, and healing. Together, let us continue walking the path of reconciliation with humility, openness, and respect.

09/29/2025

Congratulations to ODTRF-funded researcher Dr. Sara Belga on receiving a prestigious Michael Smith Health Research BC Health Professional-Investigator (HP-I) award for her groundbreaking project: Immune Monitoring to Predict Risk of Clinically Significant CMV Events after Solid Organ Transplantation (Predict-CMV SOT Study).

This recognition builds on the early seed funding she received through an ODTRF supported Vancouver Coastal Health Team Grant which helped spark this potentially transformative area of research.

We’re proud to see Dr. Belga’s work advancing the science of CMV in the transplant population, ultimately improving the future for recipients.

Learn more: https://healthresearchbc.ca/awardrecipient/2025-health-professional-investigator-hp-i-award-recipients/