National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week - NOTDAW

Volunteers participated in many incredible Transplant Manitoba events this past year. Quiz night 2025 was a fun and successful evening in the lead up to National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week - NOTDAW ran from April 19-25th. Spring 2025 saw Transplant Manitoba connect with Hockey Gives Blood, (HGB) a non-profit organization that has partnered with the Canadian Blood Services to engage and educate the hockey community about the importance of blood, plasma and stem cell and organ and tissue donation. They created an amazing video shoot with the Hatchers, a donor family who continues to honour the life and legacy of their son, Luke and HGB Player Ambassador Carson Bjarnason, a Manitoba born goalie who finished playing with the Brandon Wheat Kings and signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. This engaging 30 second video was released in Fall of 2025 and it racked up almost 34,000 Instagram views. The video now has a home on the HSC YouTube channel. Summer of 2025 saw the signupforlife booth at the Kirk Cadman Memorial Classic. Hundreds of athletes participated in a meaningful moment along with everyone in the stands to complete the Kirk Cadman Walk of Dreams - a ceremonial 400 m walk celebrating the legacy of an extraordinary track athlete and honoring the gift of life given through organ donation. This year, Jaxon, a young heart transplant recipient opened the second day of competition by singing the national anthem. That is a small slice of Transplant Manitoba activities in 2025, and they appreciate all the amazing volunteers who helped in making it all happen.

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.

April is a big month for transplant recipients. Green Shirt Day 2026 is fast approaching on April 7th. Wear green to show your support for organ and tissue donor awareness.

You can visit www.greenshirtday.ca to order Green Shirt Day apparel. National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week - NOTDAW 2026 will run from April 19th through April 25th. Organ and tissue donation 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 held its annual summer picnic on Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at Kildonan Park. Our even had a good turnout of about 25 members. The weather was fabulous and a good time was had by all. Members and their loved ones feasted on hamburgers, hotdogs, salads, fruit and vegie platters, and let's not forget all the delicious deserts! Please see event pictures below.

The 2026 Canadian Transplant games will be held in Sherbrooke, Quebec from July 5 to 11th, 2026. You can visit the Canadian Transplant Association website to register as a participant. The games is a celebration of athletic achievement, determination and generosity that provides an opportunity to shine in their chosen sport. 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!

Winipeg had its official Green Shirt Day kickoff event hosted by Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara, and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Mike Moyes. The Rotunda and the Manitoba Legislature was filled with donor families, living donors and transplant recipients all connected by a common bond - the generous act of organ donation. Special guests Toby and Bernie Boulet spoke about their decision to honor their son Logan's decision to be an organ donor.

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

Transplant Manitoba kicked off the summer season at the annual spring planting of the Garden of Life. The garden is located in the English Garden near the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden in Assiniboine Park. Several volunteers joined the morning crew to help plant the beautiful annuals for another wonderful Manitoba flower season! If you find yourself in the park this summer, make sure to take a stroll through the beautiful garden!

The HeartLinks executive board chaired its third in person AGM and Christmas party, with its largest group since taking a three year hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Approximately 30 members and their family members attended our AGM, and enjoyed Pizza, salads and too many delicious dainties! All leftovers were taken to CR4 and 5th floor ICU nurses to enjoy!

HeartLinks President Alan Scramstad  presenting Gloria Voth with her One year post transplant Certificate. Congratulations to Gloria on her special milestone.

HeartLinks President Alan Scramstad presenting Karl Schablegger with his One year post transplant Certificate. Congratulations to Karl on his special milestone.

HeartLinks President Alan Scramstad presenting Boguslaw Yacholkoloski with his Ten year post transplant Certificate. Congratulations on your special milestone.

HeartLinks Manitoba President Alan Scramstad presenting Nathan DeGagne with his 10 year post transplant Certificate. Congratulations on your special milestone.

HeartLinks Vice President Barb Kolomi presenting Alan Scramstad with his 15 year post transplant Certificate. Congratulations on your special milestone.

The HeartLinks executive board chaired its second in person AGM since taking a three year hiatus due to COVID-19

HeartLinks President Alan Scramstad presenting Michael Helewa his 10 year post transplant certificate. Congratulations to Michael on his special milestone

HeartLinks President Alan Scramstad presenting Ron Shepertycki his 15 year  post transplant certificate. Congratulation to Ron on his special milestone.

Shari Barker introduced Dr. A. Didi, the Heart Clinic's new physician who joined the team this Fall of 2023. Welcome Dr. Didi!

This year we enjoyed a delicious assortment of pizzas, lasagna, caesar salad and greek salad from Santa Lucia

HeartLinks members all brought an assortment of festive sweets and treats!

Our picnic turnout of 30 people happened on a day with the temperature reaching 33 celcius and 38 with the humidex!

After a three year absence, those BBQ'd hamburgers and hotdogs sure tasted good!

Members and their families enjoyed delicious hamburgers and hotdogs, potato salads, various colorful bean salads, vegie trays, fruit trays and of course plenty of deserts for everyone!

Sweet treat choices included rhubarb crisp, peacan and butter tarts, cookies and so much more!

After a three year pause on in person gatherings, members old and new got to catch up with each other, or get to know one another and their stories.

Many out of town members traveled into Winnipeg to celebrate the annual picnic despite the hot, humid temperatures.  HeartLinks members are a hearty bunch!

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!