Donor mother, son's organ recipients share their stories

AHS’ annual Donor Recognition Service honours gifts of life

Story & photos by Su-Ling Goh | Photo by Diane Haskell

EDMONTON — Kelli Reimer and three of her son Levi’s organ donation recipients received a standing ovation at Alberta Health Services’ 2024 Donor Recognition Service.

The annual event honours organ and tissue donors and their families with commemorative medals, speeches and In Memoriam slide shows. The latest ceremony welcomed 250 people, including members of more than 50 donor families.

Kelli’s 18-year-old son, Levi Reimer, died in 2019 after a motorbike crash. He donated his heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas — saving five lives. Kelli was so touched to receive Levi’s medal at the 2023 ceremony, she requested to speak at the 2024 event, along with three of his recipients.

“(The ceremony) helped us, it was healing,” says Kelli. “It was really nice to see Levi honoured in that way. I do think (the event) is extremely important.”

Paul Gauthier, who received both of Levi’s lungs, says sharing his story with a room full of donor families isn’t easy, but it’s important. Before the transplant, his medical team told him he had about six months left to live.

“It’s a very good gift, the gift of life,” says Gauthier. “I would not be here today if it wasn’t for Kelli and her family.”

Alberta is one of the few provinces in Canada which offers a donor recognition service. The Edmonton ceremony, led by the AHS organ and tissue donation program Give Life Alberta, has been an annual tradition for decades.

Margaret Lidstone has helped organize at least 15 of these events.

“It’s a way to say ‘thank you’ to donors and their families for the gifts they’ve given to save and enhance the lives of others,” says Lidstone, AHS transplant services project coordinator and former organ donor coordinator. “That donor medal is to say their loved one is a hero and they’ve left an enduring legacy. We don’t take that lightly.”

The events are funded by donations, often from previous donor families, to Give Life Alberta through the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation. Lidstone says the ceremonies are also a way for donor families to connect with others like them.

“It affirms to them they’re not alone, and others have gone through this. They’ve given the gift of life, too,” adds Lidstone.

Give Life Alberta organ and tissue donation staff first meet donor families as their loved one is dying, usually in an intensive care unit. Staff follow these families for a year, sharing updates on the health of their recipients, and encouraging both parties to write anonymous letters to each other. Staff can also set up meetings between donor families and recipients, if both wish to meet.

Rob Hadley, patient care manager for organ and tissue donation, describes the ceremony as the “culmination” of family follow-up care.

“We want to demonstrate to our donor families that it’s not just about (our team) getting the gift of life in the moment,” says Hadley. “We want to see them move past the traumatic experience that they lived through and recognize that what they’ve done on behalf of their loved one is really a wonderful thing that has provided a lot of value and meaning to other people.”

Nicole Fraser and Richard Bourgeault’s son Karter died of a brain tumour in 2023. The six-year-old donated his heart valves, saving two babies. Karter was honoured at the 2024 service.

“I think (the ceremony) is a good idea,” says Fraser. “It helps remind you that you’ve done the right thing and you’re not alone. It's nice to meet people to relate to.”

Kelli Reimer finds some peace in seeing how her son’s donations have dramatically changed the lives of his recipients. She hopes sharing Levi’s story will inspire more Alberta families to consider donation.

“In the face of such a tragedy, to have organ and tissue donation as part of your healing process is so profound … so profound.”

For more information on organ and tissue donation, or to register your decision, visit www.GiveLifeAlberta.ca.