National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week - NOTDAW

We held our first in person Annual AGM and Christmas get together for the first time in two years. We hosted a cozy group of 12 people in the Asper Centre's Mezzanine on December 1st. We enjoyed delicious pizza from Santa Lucia, who also provided Caesar and Greek salads that were very tasty! Plenty of baking, chocolates and other goodies were donated from attending members, and once we were filled up, we were ready to get down to business. Our HeartLinks meeting saw three members celebrate and receive in person their certificates for 10 years post transplant appreciation. Cari Porteous, Wayne Sankar and Sherene Wright (all pictured above) celebrated 10 years of receiving their transplants. Congratulations!  We adjourned the meeting in hopes of looking forward to  the next in person AGM with a larger group. With 2023 on the horizon, we hope to enjoy more in person gatherings. Wishing all our members and their families all the best this holiday season and a Happy, Healthy 2023! As of January 31, 2023, Manitoba's online organ and tissue donor registry www.signupforlife.ca registry holds the donation decisions of 64,618 Manitobans, while continuing to make organ and tissue donor awareness part of everyday conversation.

NOTDAW 2023 will run from April 24 through April 28, 2023. HeartLinks will have an information table in the Atrium of St. Boniface Hospital on Tuesday April 25th from 10-3 pm. Come and visit us as we plan to have many organ and tissue donor conversations. Volunteers will have tablets available to assist anyone wishing to sign up on Manitoba's online registry. Organ and tissue donations saves lives. By registering your intent using Manitoba's online registry, information about your donation decision will be available and accessible should it ever be required. As of January 31, 2023, the www.signupforlife.ca registry holds the donation decisions of 64,618 Manitobans. How you can get involved in NOTDAW events and activities; follow social media sites like Transplant Manitoba on Facebook and Twitter and www.canadianbloodservices.ca to see how Manitoba's various organ donor agencies are promoting awareness. 

HeartLinks Manitoba is happy to announce after 3 years without a picnic, the 2023 Annual Heartlinks picnic will go ahead on Saturday, June 3rd from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm at Kildonan Park. As a member, if you have have received an invitation, please send us an email at: info@heartlinksmanitoba.org to advise  if you plan to attend.

As we all know, the disappointing but necessary decision was made to cancel the 2020 Canadian Transplant Games scheduled in Winnipeg due to ongoing challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Transplant Association is hoping Winnipeg will host the games in the near future and we will keep you posted! In 2022, The World Olympic Committee recognized The Canadian Transplant Games as part of their organization! This is a big and much deserved achievement for the Committee and all participating athletes!

April 7, 2023 marks the fifth annual Green Shirt Day. To see all the latest news visit their Facebook page: Green Shirt Day. The Winnipeg sign at the Forks and the Legislative building will be lit up green for a great picture opportunity to share on social media to spread the organ donor awareness word. Logan Boulet's parents Toby and Bernadine Boulet launched GREEN SHIRT DAY in 2019 in honor of the "Logan Boulet Effect" and organ donation awareness. The April 6, 2018 bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team resulted in the loss of 16 lives, including Logan Boulet's. Logan was a registered organ donor prior to the crash and once news of this selfless act became known, Canadians responded and began registering across the country in a wave of generosity never seen before. More than 100,000 Canadians registered and it became known as the LoganBouletEffect. Having conversations about the gift of life is important. Logan had shared his decision to be a donor with his family and in honoring his wishes, six others received a second chance at life. By continuing the Logan Boulet Effect, have a conversation with your family about organ donation and register If it's important to you. It takes just  two minutes and two pieces of ID by using www.signupforlife.ca #GreenShirtday #LoganBouletEffect #organdonation #Tellyourfamily #BeInspired #signupforlife.ca #beadonor #havethechat #shareyourwishes

Dr. Schaffer introducing the Heart Failure and Transplant Clinic's newest Cardiologist, Dr. Sidhu.

Heartlinks Vice President Barb Kolomi presenting Alan Scramstad with his certificate for 10 years post transplant. Congratulations to Alan on his special milestone!

Heartlinks President Alan Scramstad presenting member Baljit Singh with his certificate for 15 years post transplant. Congratulations to Baljit on his special milestone!

Alan Scramstad presenting member Dave Proven with his certificate for 10 years post transplant.  Congratulations to Dave on his special milestone!

Alan Scramstad presenting member Margaret Stuart with her certificate for 5 years post transplant.  Congratulations to Margaret on her special milestone!

Alan Scramstad presenting member Daswell McLeod with his certificate for 5 years post transplant.  Congratulations Daswell!

The 2020 Canadian Transplant games will be proudly held in Winnipeg.  The T-shirt with the logo design was shown off at our Christmas party.  This image shows the front of the shirt.

The logo showing the Manitoba Buffalo on the back of the T-shirt.

The 10th Annual 2020 Canadian Transplant Games banner paid a visit to the AGM and get together.  It is a stunning banner!

It's not a party without cake!

Heartlinks wrapped up its annual AGM and Christmas get together with a fantastic group of 57 attending! Our group is a unique blend of transplant recipients, LVAD's and those waiting for transplant.  A great time was had by all. Until next year!

From the Heartlinks executive board to all its members, we wish you Season's Greetings and a happy healthy New Year!