For many families, the cost of medications and medical supplies—totalling thousands of dollars annually—can be prohibitively expensive. In these cases, there are often no other sources for coverage.

Medical Supplies include:
-Prescription medications, including vitamins and minerals
-Nutritional formula
-Feeding tube supplies
-Catheters and related equipment

There are several areas of support where on a case-by-case basis, we may be able to support families.

Non-Medical Expenses include:
-Educational scholarships for transplant youth
-Funeral expenses
-Tutoring
-Gas gift cards for transport to and from the hospital
-Taxi fares to and from the hospital

Each summer, we send children and youth to a specialized transplant camp. This provides an opportunity for young people, who might not otherwise be financially or physically able, to socialize with others who have experienced similar medical issues. At Camp Latona, nurses and camp leaders help lead our youth in various outdoor activities, including whale watching, swimming, ziplining, campfires, and more.

Time and time again, we have transplant youth express that camp is their favourite week of the year. Here, they feel safe to express themselves fully, without the need to hide their medical conditions.

After transplantation, 20% of kidney recipients, 30% of liver recipients, and 60% of heart recipients develop anxiety disorders within the first year, with 40% eventually developing PTSD (Transplantation Journal Volume 96).

These statistics barely encompass the mental and psychological toll of the transplant journey. For many of our families, counselling support is required to maintain emotional wellbeing.

We cover the cost of counselling or other mental health services (example: art therapy) for transplant recipients, their parents, or siblings.

With the financial strain pre and post-transplant, many families cannot afford to put food on the table. We provide nutrition support through grocery gift cards distributed both directly to families and through the social worker at BC Children’s Multi-Organ Transplant Clinic.

These gift cards also come in the form of Starbucks, as in-patient families often do not have the ability to cook and need access to quick meals/snacks.

Parents are the unspoken heroes of the transplant community. They remain strong through severe medical challenges and often put themselves last.

We support parents through:
-An annual Parent’s Night, including a presentation with a registered counsellor, the opportunity for discussion, dinner, door prizes, and more
-A private Facebook group for parents to post and discuss
-Counselling and mental health support

When a family begins the transplant journey, they often do not know anyone who has been through a similar experience. We believe that being a part of a community provides essential educational and emotional support.

Our Awareness and Education Programs include:
-Family events, where family members of all ages can socialize and gain connections
-Parent’s Night
-Our website
-Our blog
-Our social media

We are passionate about ensuring the best standard of care for BC’s transplant children and their families. Thanks to the hard work of our Executive Director, Debbie Bielech, and dedicated volunteers, such as Carmen Carriere (above), we have successfully brought in BC Children’s Hospital Multi-Organ Transplant Clinic and Pediatric Heart Transplant Program.

We continue to work closely with BC Children’s Hospital, the Provincial Government, and other like-minded charities and organizations that work to support families on their transplant journey.

Photo by Nick Procaylo of the Vancouver Sun.