Transplant Manitoba-Gift of Life

02/27/2026

As winds down, we’d like to talk about Orgamites in Canada in the classroom and how these mighty organs can enrich the curriculum and encourage kids everywhere to look after their health, each other and the world.

Our visit to Ms. Shaye Demke’s Grade 3 class at Joseph Teres School was inspired by a young heart recipient. His classmates were excited to celebrate his heart anniversary with him and to prepare, Demke tapped into some of the Orgamites online resources.

“This fantastic free resource is easy to use and implement in the classroom,” she explained. “It was self-explanatory and low prep. Plus the videos were child-friendly and very informative, which led to a lot of really great learning and question asking.”

Demke said her class watched a video of the character organs to learn about the human body and how it functions. “Students are just beginning to really understand their own bodies and many had not heard the word 'organ' before, but knew many of the organs by name! The video was a cute way to explain the organs at an age-appropriate level.”

When she introduces a new topic, Demke likes to include her students interests and personalities into her teaching and learning.

“I think it is very important for students to feel a part of our classroom community and bringing in personal experiences (that they want to share) has been a fantastic way for students to feel connected and learn more about one another,” she explained, adding introducing the Orgamites was an opportunity for the student to be able to share about his heart and his medical journey. “Kids are generally very curious and had so many questions for him that allowed him to share but also be proud of his journey and experience.”

As a fifth-year teacher teacher with experience across many early years grades, Demke is also a ringette player of 20+ years who enjoys learning about how incredible the human body is and how to keep herself and her students healthy and active. Thanks Ms. Demke for welcoming us into your classroom!

02/25/2026

They are back and bigger than ever! Once again the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba medical students got busy and hosted a fundraiser bake sale to support Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life’s research, education and public outreach efforts regarding organ donation and transplantation.

A decision Parnya says was a meaningful one. “Transplantation represents such a powerful intersection of surgical skill, teamwork, and generosity,” she explained, adding a loved one recently received a transplanted organ and experiencing the process gave her a new perspective on the ripple effect donation and transplantation has on families.

“As medical students pursuing surgical careers, we’re constantly reminded that technical skill is only part of the story. Organ donation and transplantation highlight how collaboration and generosity can give someone a second chance at health. Supporting Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life is our way of honouring that impact while raising awareness among our peers.”

The University of Manitoba Surgery Club was formed this year through the merger of the Vascular Surgery Interest Group and the General Surgery Interest Group. With a growing executive team and broader student membership, the goal is to create a collaborative space for medical students interested in surgery while offering hands-on skills sessions, including vascular anastomosis and endovascular repair workshops, as well as mentorship opportunities and exposure to different surgical specialties.

Thank you all for the generous financial donation and for working to raise awareness about what organ donation and transplantation makes possible.

02/23/2026

The Gift of Life flag is flying today at HSC_Winnipeg and St. Boniface Hospital. When the flag has been raised, it means someone has offered a life-saving gift to others in need either through living or deceased organ donation. This action serves as a tribute to the courage, compassion and generosity of the donor and honours the decision to say yes to organ donation. Thank you.

02/20/2026

The Boulets arrived in Winnipeg to launch 2026 – a nation-wide initiative inspired by the legacy of Logan Boulet, the Humboldt Broncos defenceman whose decision to register as an organ and tissue donor was honoured by his parents after the tragic bus crash – but they also made the decision to connect in-person and online with the Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life teams to share their experience.

Before heading to the Manitoba Legislative Building for the media event, Toby and Bernie Boulet spoke with our teams to introduce Logan and the kind of young man he had grown up to be, and how at the end of his life, they knew without question their thoughtful, curious, athletic and artistic son wanted to help others through the gift of organ donation.

Many thanks to the Boulets for making time to engage with our staff and for their continued advocacy through their remarkable work with .

If organ and tissue donation is important to you, share your decision with those closest to you and register. In Manitoba, registering on www.signupforlife.ca takes two minutes and three pieces of information – name, birthdate and nine-digit Manitoba Health card number.

02/19/2026

Kicking off 2026 with so many people gathered in one place whose lives have been affected by organ donation and transplantation was truly an honour 💚

Thanks for hosting!

02/19/2026

2026 launched right here in Winnipeg and the event provided the perfect setting to reveal the made-in-Manitoba logo for this year and its creator, Candace.

Her design captures the spirit of movement and legacy by using several powerful symbols including a flying puck, crossed hockey sticks, the green ribbon for organ donation and Logan Boulet’s number 27. Together, these elements reflect hope, action, and the enduring ripple Logan’s decision continues to create.

Many thanks to Candace and her family for being part of this incredible gathering, and for sharing how organ donation and transplantation has affected your lives. For details about Candace’s living kidney donation journey, check out the official press release – https://greenshirtday.ca/news-and-events/honouring-logan-boulet-on-green-shirt-day/

02/18/2026

An incredible team assembled in Winnipeg, Manitoba today to officially drop the puck on 2026 and the energy was electric 🌩🏒💚

Hosted by the Hon. Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care and MC’d by the Hon. Mike Moyes, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Rotunda at 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.

Toby and Bernie Boulet spoke about the courage and compassion behind the decision to say yes to organ donation and how the continues to ripple out across the country years after the devastating Humboldt Broncos bus crash. The media event was also an opportunity to introduce Candace, a living kidney donor and the creator of the 2026 Green Shirt Day logo – which looked terrific on mascot Mick E. Moose!

Dr. Julie Ho, medical director, Transplant Manitoba and Dr. Owen Mooney, medical director, Gift of Life were also part of the program to share their experiences within organ donation and transplantation.

“For me, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is calling someone who has been waiting for a kidney transplant, often for many years, with the news that we have a match for them. To see them come off dialysis after transplant - there is nothing better,” explained Dr. Ho.

Dr. Mooney underscored the importance of talking with loved ones about donation decisions - like Logan did - so family are aware it is a gift you would want to offer someday. “As an intensive care physician, I am keenly aware of how just rare, difficult and beautiful the gift of organ donation is. I am also aware of how families can struggle when there is uncertainty regarding donation.”

If organ and tissue donation is important to you, Canadians can go to https://greenshirtday.ca/register/ to find information about their provincial registry.

02/17/2026

February is and this story of innovation and triumph will definitely warm yours ❤

Nobody had ever dared transplant an infant heart into a child with a different blood type. But Dr. Lori West believed her discovery could save babies’ lives.
Read more about Dr. West's research: https://bit.ly/4c1n11p.

02/13/2026

It truly takes a team to complete the act of giving a gift of life. Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life relies on many partners to work together to transport incredibly precious cargo so that it safely arrives at its destination and can give someone a second chance at life.

Our colleagues who work with Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services, Shared Health Emergency Response Services, stretcher services, charter flights and Air Canada are an integral part of the organ donation and transplantation journey, and we are grateful for their professionalism and expertise.

Our donor coordinators are in constant communication with these partners as arrangements are made to transport life-saving organs in or out of Winnipeg. These actions take place in the background, but they are essential to supporting Canada’s organ donation and transplantation system. Without these skilled professionals, organ donation just wouldn’t be possible.

This , we’d like to thank these unsung heroes who travel in all sorts of weather, 365 days a year to bring new beginnings to those living with a failing organ ❤

02/12/2026

Join our Kidney Foundation of Canada friends as they welcome award-winning executive chef Paul Natrall (aka Mr. Bannock) from the Squamish Nation in North Vancouver, BC, who will deliver a free kidney-friendly virtual cooking session using Indigenous cooking techniques.

Click for registration details for both Feb 25 & 26 sessions!

02/11/2026

In a demanding field like medicine, Dr. Armelle Villalobos’ best advice is to remain authentic and stay focused on your own unique path.

“True success isn't about competing with others; it’s about achieving excellence in a world already full of high achievers," she explains. “We truly can accomplish anything we set our minds to, because while so much of life is beyond our influence, we have total control over our own dedication and the heart we put into our goals.”

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is recognized on February 11 and the Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life teams celebrate all of the outstanding women in science who support our programs. The day provides an opportunity to highlight the contributions of women and girls in science and to promote full and equal access to, and participation in, science for women and girls.

As a transplant infectious diseases physician – currently the only specialist in this field in Manitoba – Dr. Villalobos uses her expertise to support kidney, lung and liver transplant patients at HSC_Winnipeg. Her research focuses on infections that affect immunocompromised patients, and she evaluates the effectiveness of current screening and identification protocols to better quantify infectious risks before they impact the recipient.

“As a transplant Infectious diseases specialist, I focus on protecting patients with weakened immune systems from infection. I work closely with patients before their transplant to ensure they are as safe as possible and continue to support their recovery by diagnosing and treating any infectious complications that arise,” she said.

Dr. Villalobos says she was drawn to the field of transplantation when she completed a rotation as an internal medicine resident. Her time on that transplant ward allowed her a glimpse of what could be possible if she pursued this challenging career.

“To me, transplantation sits at the intersection of cutting-edge medicine, ethics, and long-term patient relationships. Transplant infectious diseases offers the opportunity to care for patients at their most vulnerable, where clinical decisions have immediate and life-altering consequences. It requires close collaboration across disciplines and a deep understanding of complex biology, infection risk, and immunosuppression.”

The patients themselves also drive her motivation to support them as they claim a new life after transplant. “This field is especially rewarding because it allows me to follow patients over time and to witness firsthand the profound impact that a successful transplant can have on both survival and quality of life,” she explained. “Their bravery in the face of uncertainty humbles me and serves as a constant inspiration to provide the highest level of care possible.”

Inspired by her university professor parents, Dr. Villalobos says teaching is one of her true passions and she enjoys working with medical students and residents, as well as sharing her knowledge and expertise by serving on the Canadian Society of Transplantation’s Education and Transplant Infectious Diseases Committees.

With a very active professional life, Dr. Villalobos, an avid reader and lifelong music lover, finds balance in being happily married, keeping up with a demanding corgi and staying in touch with faraway family and friends through letter writing.

02/10/2026

To better understand how food insecurity affects transplant families across Canada, a University of Alberta team is conducting a survey to explore how household food access may influence diet quality, mental health, and quality of life in children who have undergone liver, kidney, or multi-organ transplant.

If you are a parent or caregiver to children and teens 18 and under and would like to participate in this anonymous, 10-minute survey, go to the study’s link - https://redcap.ualberta.ca/surveys/?s=PKDX8DHEEMFJN9XK