British Columbia marked a record-breaking year for organ donation in 2025, with 575 people receiving life-saving transplants — the highest number ever performed in the province.

The milestone was made possible by 232 donors, including 146 deceased donors and their families and 86 living donors, according to BC Transplant.

Health Minister Josie Osborne thanked donor families for their compassion during times of loss and praised living donors for their extraordinary commitment.

“Every donor leaves a lasting legacy of hope,” Osborne said in a statement.

That legacy is personal for the family of Kip McLeod, who registered as an organ donor after his mother received a heart transplant in 2016. When McLeod died suddenly in March 2025, his family honoured his wishes, helping save three lives.

“It is surreal to be on the other side of the story,” said his sister, Heather Hennan. “Kip would be so proud to know he made such a meaningful difference.”

Of the 575 transplants performed in 2025, 357 were kidney transplants — a new provincial record. The total also included 107 liver transplants, 66 double-lung transplants, 30 heart transplants, and 25 pancreas and islet transplants, another record. Several patients received multi-organ transplants.

BC Transplant also marked a historic milestone, surpassing 8,000 kidney transplants since the province’s first procedure in 1968.

“This represents far more than a number,” said BC Transplant executive director Eric Lun. “Each transplant strengthens families, communities and the health-care system.”

Kelowna resident Troy Chapman was among those who received a kidney transplant in 2025. Just three months later, he’s back at work and exercising regularly.

“I’m trying to do as much as I can and not waste this gift,” Chapman said, thanking the donor family for their generosity.

BC Transplant credited health-care teams across the province for making the record year possible and highlighted new initiatives aimed at increasing donor registrations, including a partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency that helped more than 17,000 people register in late 2025.

As of Dec. 31, more than 1.6 million British Columbians are registered organ donors.

Residents can register their decision at registeryourdecision.ca using their Personal Health Number.