Last year, 563 people received a transplant thanks to 160 deceased donors and 77 living kidney donors. Hospitals also referred 989 potential donors. These record-breaking statistics for B.C. would not have been possible without the small but mighty team of 52 dedicated members of BC Transplant’s organ donation and hospital development team. They tackle the daily challenges of coordinating cases from donation to transplant, ensuring timeliness, safety and sensitivities of each unique case.
We sat down with Jeevan Kang to learn more.
I have worked at BCT as a surgical recovery specialist for almost seven years. What inspires me to come to work every day is knowing what a profound impact the work that we do has on individuals and families. The stories of resilience and gratitude from both donor families and recipients are powerful reminders of that importance. Every day presents a new opportunity to make a meaningful impact to those waiting for a life-saving gift. I am also very grateful to work with so many amazing healthcare professionals. It is very rewarding to be part of a community that is dedicated to changing the lives of others.
First and foremost, the most important part of my role as SRS is to ensure that the recovery process is conducted with the highest level of care and respect for both the donor and their family.
Another crucial part of my job is effective communications. Oftentimes while we are in a donor operating room recovering organs, the transplant surgeons are working simultaneously on the recipients so the organs can be transplanted quickly once they arrive. Because of this, it is important that we communicate in real-time so transplant surgeons can be updated promptly, which also allows for quick decision making and adjustments should any unexpected issues arise. Effective communication ensures the organs are recovered safely and efficiently to maximize the potential for successful transplants.
There was a young donor who passed away in a tragic accident. The donor had a large, loving family who remained positive and hopeful even in a time of immense grief. They were so grateful to be given the opportunity to consent to organ donation and help save the lives of others. What really touched me was right before we took their loved one into the operating room, they gave me a handwritten letter. When I opened the letter, I noticed it was addressed to everyone involved in the organ donation process, from the pilots who flew the surgical team to the donor hospital, to the recipients receiving the organs, and everyone in between. Their family wanted everyone to know their loved one was kind and very loving, and they wished the expectant recipients a life with renewed energy and good health. It was incredibly moving to see their compassion and thoughtfulness during such a difficult time.
There are several factors that determine what time an organ recovery surgery will take place. This includes operating room availability, surgeon availability, aircraft availability, donor family wishes, etc. Our organ donation specialists must work with the various stakeholders to find a time that is suitable for everyone.
(Photo credit to: Transplant Stories)
During one particular case, I received notice about one hour before our flight was to depart from Vancouver that we would not be able to take off due to poor weather conditions. Although the delay was caused by circumstances beyond my control, I felt a sense of guilt and responsibility for the delay knowing how many people would be affected. I was also concerned the donor hospital would not be able to accommodate a later operating room time. We also had to consider the pilot’s maximum duty time, which allows them to work a maximum number of hours to prevent fatigue and ensure safety, and we needed to make sure we would be able to return to Vancouver before their duty time was reached.
Our team worked together to immediately notify all the stakeholders and fortunately everyone was understanding. We were able to change the operating room time to allow the team to get there safely. There were no further delays, and we managed to return to Vancouver before the pilots timed out. This experience reinforced the importance of clear communication and adaptability in high pressure situations.
As a surgical recovery specialist, I am responsible for coordinating the retrieval surgery. Before the operating room, I must communicate with retrieval surgeons and donor hospitals to confirm the operating time. If we will be flying to another city or province, I also liaise with the charter company to arrange flight details and book ambulances to transport the surgical team and organs. Additionally, I reach out to all the transplant surgeons and hospitals that will be receiving the organs to discuss what updates they would like during the retrieval surgery.
Once the surgery is underway, I maintain communication with the transplant surgeons and operating rooms to provide the updates we discussed prior.
(Photo credit to: Transplant Stories)
When the organ recovery surgery is complete, I am responsible for making sure the organs get to their respective transplant sites quickly and safely while also keeping the transplant surgeons informed of their time of arrival. I will also provide the donor family with a post-surgery update if it was requested. The entire process can consist of hundreds of phone calls, text messages and e-mails for a single donor case.
This documentary will provide an opportunity to educate viewers about the organ donation process, how transplants work and highlight the profound impact it can have on the lives of recipients and their families. It shares many personal stories and experiences that will hopefully inspire empathy and educate viewers about the critical need for organ donors. I also hope it will help viewers understand the importance of having conversations with their loved ones about their wishes surrounding organ donation and in turn, encourage people to consider registering to become an organ donor. Ultimately, I hope this documentary will help create a community that values and supports organ donation.
Transplant Stories is airing now on Knowledge Network in B.C. or stream for free on www.knowledgenetwork.ca/transplant-stories.
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Episode 2 – THE LIFE YOU GIVE – Synopsis
An organ retrieval team flies to Kelowna to obtain a liver from a dying man but faces losing the organ completely as time runs out. A woman with a condition that hardens her heart tissues finds that getting a transplant brings an unexpected emotional impact. A sister flies from her home in Colombia to donate a kidney to her ailing brother, but her smoking habit could scuttle everything.
