London, Ont. — As a final act of generosity before closing its doors, the Windsor Organ Transplant-Cardiac Care Group (WOTCC) has donated more than $27,000 to London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF) to support the Multi-Organ Transplant Program (MOTP) Patient Assistance Fund (PAF) at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).

This donation honours the legacy of the late Catherine Brown, a two-time heart transplant recipient at LHSC’s University Hospital (UH) and one of WOTCC’s founding members. After receiving life-saving care at UH Catherine gave back to the very hospital that saved her life. Over 30 years ago, she helped establish the charity to fund services and equipment for transplant patients, while raising awareness about the importance of organ donation.

Thanks to her transplants, Catherine was able to spend an extra 15 years with her family. “Like many transplant recipients; my mom was humbled by the gift given to her by grieving strangers—a gift that could never be repaid,” said Catherine Brown’s daughter, Veronica Brown. “She spent her gifted years raising funds and advocating for organ donation awareness.”

Although based in Windsor, many of WOTCC’s larger donations over the years supported LHSC hospitals, where many Windsor-area patients receive transplant care. The WOTCC was a small, tight-knit group of volunteers, many of them transplant recipients themselves, who came together out of compassion and shared experience. Since 1993, WOTCC has raised over $900,000 to support transplant patients by funding essential services and equipment, while also promoting awareness of the importance of organ donation. With the organization now dissolved, Brown says the remaining funds will continue advancing its mission, just as her mother would have wanted.

“On behalf of my mother, Catherine and our dedicated board members and volunteers, I am proud to provide this final donation to LHSF.”

The PAF provides support to transplant patients and their families by covering essential costs such as parking, travel and accommodation, allowing families to focus on their loved ones’ care.  

“The fund allows us to offer some financial relief to patients and families who are going through challenging and emotional times,” said Heather Sadler, registered social worker with LHSC’s MOTP. “We’re grateful to all PAF donors, as their generosity provides comfort and support during these moments.”

LHSC’s Multi-Organ Transplant Program (MOTP) is one of Canada’s leading transplant centres, performing about 200 transplants each year. Since its inception, more than 7,000 Canadians have received kidney, liver, heart, pancreas or multi-organ transplants through the program. Despite London’s strong organ donation rates, more than 1,400 people in Ontario are waiting for transplants and every three days one person dies waiting.

“This final gift is a reflection of decades of generosity and the lasting impact one family’s story can have on others,” said John H. MacFarlane, president and CEO of LHSF. “We’re grateful to the WOTCC for continuing to help transplant patients in need through this legacy.”