The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, joined by Pierre Poilievre, Member of Parliament for Nepean-Carleton, welcomed double-lung transplant recipient Hélène Campbell home to Ottawa, and praised her achievements in raising awareness about organ transplant donations in Canada and around the world.

"Hélène's remarkable story has helped to shine the light on organ donation," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "She looked beyond her own difficult situation, and chose to use it to help others. She has inspired many as her journey became public over the past year."

"Hélène is a shining example for our country," said Pierre Poilievre, Member of Parliament for Nepean-Carleton. "Lung disease affects Canadians of all ages, cultures and backgrounds, and Hélène has shown how we can come together to save lives."

Minister Aglukkaq presented Ms. Campbell with an authentic Inuit ulu from the Minister's home territory of Nunavut. In Inuit culture, the ulu represents strength.

"Hélène has embodied the idea of strength in the hearts and minds of Canadians, and for many around the world," said Minister Aglukkaq in her address to those gathered to welcome Ms. Campbell home.

Minister Aglukkaq also announced the funding from the Harper Government to support a national transplant research program.

Funding for this program is being provided through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and its partners - the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Canadian Blood Services, Genome British Columbia and Fonds de Recherche du Quebec.

The process to select a team to lead the program is currently underway through CIHR. Funding for the program is anticipated to start in spring 2013.

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