Debra Matwychuk
Is a Canadian photographer and owner of Photos For Kidneys who takes portraits of recipients, donors, and Canadians in need of kidneys.
Our Latest Portraits
Living organ donation is an act of altruism
“Without the organ donor, there is no story, no hope, no transplant. But when there is an organ donor, life springs from death, sorrow turns to hope, and a terrible loss becomes a gift.”
— Unos
Heightening Awareness
Born out of one man’s journey into the world of a kidney failure diagnoses, our goal is to heighten awareness for thousands of Canadians waiting for kidney transplants.
Recipients
If you have kidney disease, which will lead to kidney failure, a kidney transplant might be the best treatment for you. Finding a living donor at an early stage of your kidney disease may allow you to avoid dialysis completely. Approaching potential donors can seem difficult. To support you through this process, talk to your kidney care team.
Donors
If you are an adult in BC, you may choose to donate a kidney to someone you know, on behalf of someone you know, or you can donate anonymously. All living donation is managed through the appropriate programs at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) Pre-Assessment Transplant Clinics.
Living Donation
There are many reasons why a transplant from a living donor may be the best option for a patient. Transplant outcomes are generally better with kidneys from living donors than for kidneys from deceased donors. With careful planning, a patient can avoid the need for dialysis and go straight to transplant from a living donor.
Register Your Decision
Register your wishes for organ donation in the Organ Donor Registry. Have your BC Personal Health Number (PHN) ready. You will need this to register or verify your decision. Once you've registered your decision, have a conversation with your family. As much as it’s important to officially register your decision, it’s also important to have a conversation with your loved ones about organ donation and your wishes.
“I gave a kidney up for a stranger I heard about on Facebook (who's now a friend) to another stranger I will never meet, and it was pretty neat. The reason I passed that little kidney on for someone else was that I believe I'm worthy of the same gift. That if I needed a transplant I would hope a stranger would step up for me and I know I'm worth that gift”.
— Ashley Heibert
Annual Kidney Events
Meet JR and Greg
“Amongst a whole bunch of other awesome things, JR is also my husband. In June of 2018, JR discovered that his kidneys had failed, a result of a genetic disorder, and he needed a transplant. Desperately wanting to be well again and resume his hockey hobby, he began the search for a suitable living donor. On the verge of requiring dialysis, and thanks to an incredible man and old hockey buddy, JR received a successful transplant from Greg in August of 2019. It took the efforts of dozens of people to get to this point, from the amazing friends and relatives who tested for eligibility to donate, to all the many teams at the kidney and transplant clinics - doctors, nurses, surgeons, researchers, lab technicians, hospital workers, volunteers, charities, supportive friends and family. There are thousands of Canadians like him who can’t live the lives they want. Right now, there’s a 5 to 10 year waiting list for kidney transplants.”
— Debra Matwychuk
