481 British Columbians received organ transplants in 2024

A new initiative aims to help normalize conversations about organ donation and encourage more British Columbians to sign up.

Starting this year, B.C. residents’ tax returns will feature a new check box, asking if they want more information about how to register to be an organ donor.

If you select ‘yes,’ you will receive an email from BC Transplant with additional details.

“We need to be flexible and innovative to evolve and continue the important work of ensuring every family has the right to consider organ donation at the end of life,” said Dr. Sean Keenan, provincial medical director of donation services at BC Transplant.

He added that the health-care organization responsible for all aspects of organ transplantation in the province partnered with the Canada Revenue Agency to make the initiative possible, and “normalize conversations about organ donation.”

BC Transplant says 481 people received organ transplants in 2024.

Holly Warner tells 1130 NewsRadio that her son Ben was one of the more than 200 remarkable people who became a donor in 2024 when he died in August.

“It did make it easier for us as a family when we found out that he was on the organ donor list,” said Holly.

“We just wanted to respect his his last wish.”

At the time of Ben’s memorial, Holly says she and his father received a card from the recipient of Ben’s liver — one of three people whose life Ben saved at the age of 37.

“The words were just so overwhelming. I read that card all the time, and it made me realize that when when you’re waiting and literally dying because you need an organ transplant, and you’re starting to lose all hope — And as this gentleman said, ‘I was down to months of life. Not years, months.’ — it just made me realize how important it is to get yourself on that organ donor list.”

Ben Warner was one of the more than 200 remarkable people who became a donor in 2024 when he died in August. (Courtesy BC Transplant)

In his own life, she says Ben was a passionate outdoorsman and larger-than-life character who took great care of his friends and family.

“If someone needed a shirt, Ben would give him his shirt. Anyone in need, Ben would help.”

British Columbians can register as an organ donor online anytime with their provincial Personal Health Number and two minutes to spare on the BC Transplant website.