Debbie and Brian Wargovcsik hold a picture of Beau (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

ORGAN DONATION

A Kamloops man’s final act helps save four strangers through organ donation

Jan 28, 2026 | 4:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Last year, 232 people in British Columbia passed on the gift of life as organ donors. In total, those 232 people helped a record 575 recipients in 2025. The transplants included a record 357 kidney transplants, 107 liver transplants, 66 double-lung transplants, 30 heart transplants and 25 pancreas transplants. One-hundred-forty-six of the donors last year did so as their dying wishes, including Kamloops’ Beau Wargovcsik, who helped save the lives of four people.

Beau Wargovcsik was just 23 years old when he passed away last spring after suffering a seizure, leaving him without oxygen for 18 minutes as he was rushed to Royal Inland Hospital. 

“We adopted Beau when he was two. He was a very busy, busy young person. Basically, he ran from every room to room. He was like Tigger, like boing boing,” remembered Beau’s mother Debbie.

Beau was born with fetal alcohol syndrome, overcoming the diagnosis to enjoy a childhood filled with sports, arts and love. 

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“It was between hockey and skiing, for sure, but I would only let him do one per season,” joked Debbie. “He skied with the adaptative ski team up at Sun Peaks. He started out just learning how to ski and then they wanted him to do the ski racing.”

It was just a few weeks before his passing that Beau and his dad would have a conversation that served to inspire the decision that ultimately helped save the lives of four complete strangers.

“I couldn’t donate blood anymore because of my medications to deal with,” said Beau’s father Brian, “and Beau was saying he couldn’t donate blood either, but he thought about it and said, ‘Well, I could be an organ donor’. I said, ‘Yeah, that would be great.’ We just talked about it and it went from there.  I never thought about it after that.”

Debbie and Brian have not yet met any of the recipients of Beau’s final wish, but hope to soon change that.

“I never really thought about (what I would say), I just thought it would be exciting, that a part of Beau is there right and alive. I haven’t thought that far,” said Debbie who wants nothing more than to give the recipient a hug.

Beau was one of 146 British Columbians whose final act was to save the lives of others last year.

“He saved their lives and I guess that never really clicked with me, that he saved four lives. We are immensely proud of Beau and his donation and his thoughtfulness and kindness to do that,” said Debbie.

“It fit in with his personality. He was always helpful. He wanted to help people and I guess that’s ultimately the biggest help,” added Brian.

Only 25 per cent of British Columbians are currently registered as organ donors. To sign up or learn more, visit RegisterYourDecision.com.