The David Foster Foundation

Established in 1986, The David Foster Foundation exists to provide financial and emotional support to families of British Columbian children who are in need of life saving organ transplants. The Foundation has helped over 255 across Western Canada families in its 20 years of operation and is now expanding to provide support across Canada.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Foundation is focused on these primary goals for the future:

• Increasing awareness of the importance for organ donation
• Broadening our support for families across Canada
• Ensuring perpetual funding for this support by way of an endowment

It is estimated that we will need over $10 million in this endowment to ensure perpetuity and to continue to provide a much needed helping hand when families have nowhere else to turn. The Foundation supports and assists families in a variety of ways including:

• Assisting with non-medical expenses from a child's initial assessment, through surgery and postoperative check-ups
• Providing transportation to hospitals, often outside of British Columbia
• Providing accommodation for parents, often for lengthy periods, enabling them to remain close to their children
• Assisting with meals, long distance calls and other expenses that may include mortgage or rent payments
• Liaising with agencies that provide counseling, childcare and other support services for the families during this extremely stressful time

For many families, it is a relief just knowing there are people they can turn to who care about their situation and can do something to help.

Promoting public awareness of organ donation is vital to The David Foster Foundation as it is fundamental to the second chance at a life these children receive. Please visit the British Columbia Transplant Society to find out how you can help.