Organ donation/BC Transplant

By Vernon Matters Staff

Frustration growing

Kelowna woman’s health crisis highlights challenges in B.C. care

Jan 21, 2026 | 10:27 AM

The story of a Kelowna woman facing a life-threatening health crisis is drawing attention to ongoing issues in the province’s health care system.

Lyndsay Riccholt, 42, has been waiting more than a year for a liver transplant. Her surgery, originally scheduled for December, was postponed after her live donor was injured, though the donor has since recovered and the procedure could now move forward.

Conservative MLA Kristina Loewen, who represents Kelowna Centre, said Riccholt’s situation is urgent.

“The suffering she is enduring is just horrific,” Loewen said, noting Riccholt experiences pain, swelling and nausea that requires round-the-clock care from family members. “This is a matter of life and death,” Loewen added, calling on health officials to act quickly.

Loewen also highlighted broader systemic issues, saying the government’s failure to communicate with patients reflects a wider problem in Interior Health. She pointed to records showing 222 patients died last year while waiting for surgery, with nearly 40 per cent exceeding benchmark wait times for their procedures.

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In a statement , Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Transplant said, in part, for the living donor transplant process, timelines are dependent on the potential donor and driven by the potential donor.

While not commenting on this specific case, it said a living donor can change their mind and withdraw from the program at any time without a reason.

It said, in part: The donor evaluation process step typically takes a minimum of three months but may vary (shorter or longer) depending on individual circumstances. There is no ‘waitlist’ for recipients in regards to the living donor process as it is entirely driven by the potential donor. Throughout the evaluation process for living donors, the donor will be asked if they wish to proceed. They can change their mind and withdraw from the program at any time without a reason and their privacy and confidentiality will be respected.