Organ and Human Tissue Donation - Transplant Québec and Héma-Québec Pay Tribute to Organ and Tissue Donors

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Tomorrow in Sherbrooke, Transplant Québec and Héma-Québec will hold the 33^rd annual ceremony honouring organ and human tissue donors. The event pays tribute to those whose generosity has transformed the lives of countless people. Attendees from across Québec will gather to honour donors and their families and recognize the profound significance of their decision to donate.

In an atmosphere of solemnity and gratitude, donor families, honourees, dignitaries and guests will be welcomed by an impressive honour guard made up of representatives of municipal, provincial and federal police services, peace officers and paramedics. The ceremony will be attended by several distinguished guests, including the Honourable Manon Jeannotte, Lieutenant Governor of Québec.

The ceremony was established 33 years ago by the Canadian Association of Organ Donation (ACDO), which also helped organize this year's event. Since then, thousands of donors have been honoured, and their donations have enabled thousands of Quebecers to receive organ or tissue transplants.

"This ceremony is a rare moment of shared reflection, bringing grief and hope, loss and renewed life together in one place. It is a special opportunity to remember and express our profound gratitude to donors and their families, who have made an extraordinary act of generosity," said Martine Bouchard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transplant Québec. "In the midst of grief and adversity, these families agreed to let their loved ones help save and transform the lives of others."

"Human tissue donation remains far too little known," added Nathalie Fagnan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Héma-Québec. "Yet the generosity of tissue donors makes it possible to provide care that would otherwise be out of reach for many people who need it. In these cases, there is simply no alternative to the selfless gift of donation. This ceremony gives us a meaningful opportunity to thank their families and express our heartfelt gratitude."

About Transplant Québec

Transplant Québec has a mandate from the Minister of Health and Social Services to save lives and improve the health of people in need of a transplant by coordinating the organ donation process, ensuring the fair allocation of organs, helping improve clinical practices through joint efforts and mobilization with partners, and promoting organ donation across society. For more than 55 years, Transplant Québec has actively worked to ensure that the greatest possible number of Quebecers waiting for an organ can benefit from a transplant. http://www.transplantquebec.ca   

About Héma-Québec

Héma-Québec's mission is to efficiently meet the Québec population's needs for blood and other high-quality biological products of human origin. Héma-Québec has nearly 1,900 employees and more than 200,000 donors of blood, plasma, stem cells, breast milk and human tissue. Established in 2001, Héma-Québec's Human Tissue Bank is the largest of its kind in Canada. Since 2024, Héma-Québec has also been the sole distributor of human tissues to Québec hospitals, meeting all their needs for skin, cardiac, ocular and musculoskeletal tissues.

SOURCE Transplant Québec

Source: Daniel Vincent, Director, Communications and Government, Affairs, Transplant Québec, 514 606-2130, [email protected]; Patrice Lavoie, Director, Public Affairs and Outreach, Héma-Québec, 514 567-7496, [email protected]