The David Foster Foundation

Registering as an organ donor is one of the most meaningful decisions you can make, but it is only the first step.

Understanding what comes next can give you the confidence to share your decision with the people who matter most, and that conversation could change everything.

Public Notice: Door-to-Door Donation Solicitation

The David Foster Foundation does not solicit donations door to door.

If someone comes to your home claiming to collect donations on behalf of the Foundation, please do not give them money or a donation of any kind. Notify our head office immediately at 250-475-1223 or [email protected].

Thank you for helping us protect our community and the families we serve.

Meet Matthew!

When Matthew was just forty days old, his parents Sheryl and Philip watched him be wheeled into an operating room, hoping the surgery would spare him from needing a liver transplant so early in his life. It was the first of many hospital visits to come.

At just over a month old, Matthew was diagnosed with biliary atresia. His Kasai procedure was unsuccessful, and on June 26, 2020, Matthew was officially listed for a liver transplant at SickKids in Toronto.

Sheryl took leave from work to stay by Matthew's side, while Philip remained at home caring for their older son Carter. The family was already navigating enormous emotional strain when the COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of heartbreak.

With neither parent being a match for Matthew, Philip's sisters turned to social media in a search for a living donor. A 25-year-old stranger from Guelph named Derek saw the call and didn't hesitate. He was a match, and on October 8, 2020, Derek and Matthew went into surgery together.

Throughout this journey, the David Foster Foundation was proud to support the family. After six months at SickKids, Matthew came home. Today he is a happy, curious little boy with an infectious smile. His story is a powerful reminder that organ donors don't just save lives. They change them forever.

If you or someone you know is navigating the pediatric organ transplant journey, the David Foster Foundation is here to help.

Please speak with your transplant social worker to begin the application process, or reach out to us directly at [email protected] for any questions.

We are proud to announce the 2026 Visionary Award Winner - Kyle MacDonald.

Each year, the David Foster Foundation honours remarkable individuals through the Visionary Award, recognizing those making extraordinary contributions to humanitarian and business efforts at a local, regional, and national level. This year, we are deeply honoured to celebrate a woman whose impact has been nothing short of extraordinary.

After founding Phoenix Interactive Design Inc. in 1987, Kyle grew a small startup into a global organization serving some of the world's largest banks and retailers, earning the RBC Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award not once, but twice. Never one to slow down, she went on to lead AIRIA Brands Inc., where under her leadership, the company's sales and profits tripled in just a few short years before being acquired by Swiss-based Zehnder Group AG in 2022.

Beyond her remarkable business achievements, Kyle's philanthropic heart has driven her to establish scholarships for young Canadian students, champion First Responders and veterans, and make the largest private donation ever to the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation in London, Ontario, in support of the Veteran's Care Programme.

We are deeply grateful for Kyle's generous support of the David Foster Foundation and her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around her.

Congratulations, Kyle. Your generosity and vision inspire us all.

Victoria, you showed up, and you showed up in the most extraordinary way.

With about 70,000 people filled the Inner Harbour for the 40th Anniversary David Foster & Friends Concert, it was a sight we will never forget.

This evening was made possible entirely through the generosity of our incredible sponsors, and to see it embraced so wholeheartedly by this community means more than we could ever express.

To every person who came out, who brought their families, who sang along and stayed until the very last note, thank you. You reminded us of the power of music to bring people together, and of the extraordinary heart this city holds.

Victoria you will always have a very special place in our hearts. 💜

Fall is back-to-school time, a season of fresh starts, new friendships, and the joy of growth. But for some children navigating the transplant journey, it can also be a reminder of how much health challenges can shape this precious time.

To learn more about the David Foster Foundation and our work, please visit davidfosterfoundation.com.

The David Foster Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Gala brought together an extraordinary community of supporters, talents, and friends for a night none of us will ever forget. Incredible performances filled the room with emotion, laughter, and a warmth that reminded us all why this work matters.

We are forever grateful to our donors, sponsors, and talents who poured their hearts into this milestone evening. This night was for every family we have had the honour of walking alongside, and for every family navigating their own journey.

An evening to remember begins with a purple carpet moment. 💜

On August 6, the David Foster Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Gala came to life as an extraordinary lineup of talent, beloved co-hosts, and very special guests walked the carpet at the iconic Victoria Conference Centre.

Forty years of hope, love, and community, all gathered in one place to celebrate the families who inspire this mission every single day.

What an honour it was to share this milestone with all of you.

Meet James 💜

On January 22, 2021, Heather and Steve welcomed their baby boy James into the world. Nine days later, everything changed, and a frantic 911 call led to an airlift to BC Children's Hospital, where James was diagnosed with two rare, life-threatening heart conditions with no cure.

What followed was one of the most harrowing journeys a family can face. In August 2021, during an emergency transfer to a hospital in Edmonton, James went into cardiac arrest twice. He arrived on ECMO and received 48 minutes of chest compressions. Miraculously, his brain function was intact.

For eight months, the family lived away from home, navigating hospital life and the heartbreak of COVID restrictions. Just days after his first birthday, James received his first heart transplant, and for the first time in his life, he began to truly thrive.

But in December 2022, James was diagnosed with chronic rejection of his transplanted heart and was relisted. After two and a half more years of waiting and hope, James received his second heart transplant in September 2025 and came home to Peachland just before Halloween.

Last month, we were deeply honoured to welcome the Lazeski family to our 40th Anniversary Gala. Having them in the room as a reminder of why this work matters was one of the most meaningful moments of the evening.

Today, James is a curious, joyful little boy preparing for kindergarten. He has captured the hearts of everyone who knows him, and we are so grateful to know his.