Transplant Manitoba-Gift of Life

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

02/06/2026

Today we go back in time for a – all the way to March 2022 and our very first media event as we started emerging from the pandemic.

Team Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life and our volunteers joined Toby and Bernie Boulet, who were at City Hall to promote Green Shirt Day 2022 during a media event, to encourage Manitobans to have life-saving conversations about organ and tissue donation and to register intent to be a donor using Manitoba’s donor registry, www.signupforlife.ca.

During the event, Toby and Bernie were presented with the Key to The City for their work in raising awareness about giving the gift of life. Later on, the two headed off to a Winnipeg Jets game for an in-game interview on the scoreboard. Their dedication and energy is endless 💚

Team Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life is pleased to be the kick-off site for the national launch of Green Shirt Day 2026. We can’t wait!!

02/04/2026

National Burn Awareness Week takes place from Feb 1 – 7 and this year’s theme focuses on burns in the workplace. Burns can happen anywhere – from kitchens and laboratories to construction sites and offices – which makes an opportunity to share important information about prevention. It is also a chance to talk about how the gift of tissue from a donor helps promote health and healing for those who have suffered serious burns.

If you are a registered organ and tissue donor, there are six types of tissue you may be able to donate: corneas, sclera, heart valves, skin, bone, and tendons. People in need of tissue suffer from many different conditions – burns, cancer, orthopedic and sport injuries, vision loss, and more.

A donation of tissue offers them a chance to significantly improve their lives. Tissue can improve mobility, accelerate healing, improve heart function, and even restore sight. Amazing! Added bonus: unlike donated organs, donated tissue can be stored and saved for use later when the need arises.

Choose to leave well so others can live well. www.donateyourorgans.ca

02/02/2026

The Gift of Life flag is flying today at HSC_Winnipeg and St. Boniface Hospital. It only flies in honour of a donor, someone who has offered a life-saving gift to others in need either through living or deceased organ donation. This action is meant as a tribute to the courage, compassion and generosity of the donor and recognizes the decision to say yes to organ donation. Thank you.

01/30/2026

is recognized on April 7 and this year Winnipeg is the site of the 2026 national logo kick-off! We’ll be sharing all the details and stories in February 💚

Green Shirt Day was created in the wake of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash to honour those who lost their lives in the tragedy and acknowledge those who will be forever changed because of it.

Logan Boulet was a young man who had shared his decision to be a donor with his family, and his parents ultimately honoured that decision. As news became known of this life-saving gift offered to others in need, this selfless decision inspired thousands to register in their home provinces and this wave of generosity became known as the .

01/27/2026

World Kidney Day is on its way! The theme for 2026 is “Kidney Health for All, Caring for People, Protecting the Planet.” This year also marks the 20th anniversary of – a day dedicated to showing your kidneys some love for all that these hard-working organs do to keep you healthy all year long.

Check out the World Kidney Day website in the lead-up to March 12 for ways to get active on social media – https://www.worldkidneyday.org/2026-campaign/ – and help raise awareness about kidney health in your community.

World Kidney Day – 12 March 2026 Kidney Health For All – Caring for People, Protecting the Planet Are Your Kidneys OK? Take this quiz! Kidney Health for All Caring for People, Protecting the Planet Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major and growing global health challenge, affecting 1 in 10 peo...

01/23/2026

Sharing a post from our friends at the Vic ❤

When the world feels heavy, you need to care for yourself. But it can also be helpful to take small and manageable steps to make the world better. Here are a few ideas you can easily accomplish this weekend. Good luck!

01/23/2026

January can be all hustle and bustle, so take a quiet moment and enjoy a cup of tea with a friend or family member. Small moments like these can be the perfect time to talk about important matters, like organ and tissue donation.

If wanting to help others through a gift of life someday is meaningful to you, share your decision and register online using www.signupforlife.ca, Manitoba’s donor registry. It only takes about two minutes and requires three pieces of information – name, birthdate and nine-digit Manitoba Health card number.

01/21/2026

We are excited too!

The 2026 logo is here! Read about the artist and the inspiring story behind this design 💚💚💚

  Winner of the 2026 Green Shirt Day Logo Design Contest: Candace Sernowsky from Manitoba We’re thrilled to announce that Candace Sernowsky of Lorette West, Manitoba, is the winner of the 2026 Green Shirt Day Logo Design Contest! 🎉 This year’s contest invited designers from across Canada to ...