Stéphane’s journey into organ donation began with simple acts of giving. Inspired by his parents, he started donating blood in his twenties and later committed to donating every 56 days. His involvement deepened when a friend’s daughter needed a bone marrow transplant, prompting him to join the stem cell registry and volunteer with Canadian Blood Services, where he recruited donors and raised awareness.
In 2015, his interest in living donation grew after hearing about a public call for a liver donor. As he researched, he learned that living kidney and liver donation were safe. Around the same time, his aunt began experiencing kidney issues. When her condition worsened in 2019 and she was placed on the transplant waitlist—with no suitable match among close family—Stéphane stepped forward.
Eager and committed, he began testing in August and moved quickly through each stage of the evaluation process, undergoing surgery that November. The transplant transformed his aunt’s life—she returned to work, resumed gardening, and regained a sense of normalcy. Nearly six and a half years later, she continues to thrive.
Stéphane received strong support from his workplace and gradually returned to work after surgery. He also became more involved with the Kidney Foundation and Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), opening up new opportunities to advocate for donation.
In late 2024, he saw a post about someone in need of a liver transplant. He volunteered again, and although he wasn’t a match for the intended recipient, he ultimately donated to a child in April 2025.
Despite undergoing two major donations, Stéphane has maintained his active lifestyle. He continues to exercise, care for his dogs, and prioritize his health. He describes donation as both demanding and deeply rewarding, driven by a profound sense of purpose.
“Ordinary people can do these extraordinary things,” he says—encouraging others not to wait, but to consider how they can help now.