Living Donor Circle of Excellence celebrates members across Alberta

In May 2026, both branches of The Kidney Foundation of Canada in Alberta held their inaugural Living Donor Circle of Excellence ceremonies. In southern Alberta, it was an honour to gather together in Calgary to recognize organizations that are leading the way in removing financial barriers for employees who choose to become living organ donors.  Celebrating these award recipients was a powerful reminder of what is possible when leadership, compassion, and action come together.

Among the award recipients were some of the first Alberta-based employers to adopt this support model, including Alberta Health Services, STARS, the University of Calgary and ATB Financial. Their early leadership reflects a growing movement across the province to ensure that living donors are protected, supported, and celebrated. The room was filled with organ donation advocates, transplant leaders and decision makers from a variety of Calgary-based companies, all there with enthusiasm to find out about the impact companies can make on people waiting for a transplant.

“…as employers and as champions, we have an opportunity to remove the barrier of financial uncertainty… while we have already won an award from the “Great Place to Work Canada”, we truly cemented it when we committed to our team members that if they were going to step up and heroically give the gift of life and become a living donor, they would not have to worry about their paycheck…that's life changing. That's life saving.” Kris Polsom, ATB Financial.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is a strategic partner for the Living Donor Circle of Excellence (CoE) program, in collaboration with the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the Canadian Society of Transplantation (CST). The CoE program recognizes employers that implement a wage replacement policy for employees who are living organ donors. This support helps ensure that financial concerns do not stand in the way of someone choosing to save a life.

By collaborating with employers, government, and the transplant community, The Kidney Foundation is helping create a culture where living donation is recognized as a profound act of generosity, and where every Albertan who wishes to give the gift of life [JG8.1]can do so without financial hardship.

The Kidney Foundation welcomes the opportunity to work with more local champions and organizations across Alberta to expand the Living Donor Circle of Excellence[JG9.1] program and strengthen support for living donors.

“… It makes sense that we are now looking at wage replacement for living donors. It's a legitimate barrier for people who can't afford to be off work if they want to be a living donor. Over 500 Albertans are waiting for a life saving kidney, and we think that more people could step forward if they didn't have the barrier lost wages.” Jill Goth, Manager of Programs and Public Policy, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Southern Alberta Branch.

For more information about the Living Donor Circle of Excellence visit: https://kidney.ca/en/get-involved/be-an-organ-donor/living-donor-circle-of-excellence