Hélène Campbell

Hélène Campbell (born April 18, 1991 ) is a Canadian activist who has raised awareness for organ donation, largely through documenting her own need for new lungs via social media and by attracting support from celebrities including Justin Bieber and Ellen DeGeneres.

Hélène's story

Campbell had suffered from breathing problems from a young age. When she was 12, she was misdiagnosed with asthma. She was prescribed various inhalers, which did not improve her condition. Her health deteriorated as she grew older and she would experience shortness of breath and frequent coughing fits.

In September 2011, her pulmonary function was only 26 per cent and she was admitted to the Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre for four weeks. By October, it had dropped to 24 per cent. She was told she would need a double lung transplant.

As her condition continued to worsen, she became an ambassador for organ donation. She launched a website, alungstory.ca, as well as a Twitter account, where she chronicled her wait for a transplant. Using the hashtag #BeAnOrganDonor, she rallied her followers to encourage celebrities to spread awareness about organ donation. On January 21, 2012, her campaign was re-tweeted by Justin Bieber. She also caught the attention of celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Jann Arden, Howie Mandel, and Don Cherry.

In February, Campbell appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show through Skype to talk about her cause to encourage people to register as organ donors.

By March, Campbell's pulmonary function had decreased to 20 per cent. In early April, however, her condition began to deteriorate rapidly and, on April 4, she was admitted to Toronto General Hospital. On April 6, Campbell underwent a successful double lung transplant at the Toronto General Hospital. Given the precarious state of Campbell's health, her doctors opted to perform a lobar transplant, using only a portion of the donor's lungs, rather than wait for a donor with a similar body frame. The operation took seven hours and involved a 10-member team.

Since her transplant, Campbell has continued to raise awareness about organ donation. Among other things, in 2013, she launched the Give2Live campaign to raise money to cover equipment, travel, and accommodation expenses for patients awaiting transplants.

In September 2017, Campbell received a second double lung transplant, as her body was gradually rejecting the lungs she had received in 2012.

Awards and recognition

On May 23, 2012, Campbell received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, awarded by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in recognition of her work in raising awareness of the importance of organ donation. In November, she was inducted into the Order of Ottawa.

In 2013, Campbell received the Community Builder Award from the United Way.

In 2016, the western extension of Jockvale Road in Barrhaven was renamed Hélène Campbell Road. The street is located only a few blocks from the home where Campbell grew up.

In 2018, the City of Ottawa awarded Campbell the Key to the City.