Manitoba has seen a significant increase in the number of individuals registering as organ donors since the launch of its online registry more than ten years ago. However, with only six percent of Manitobans currently enrolled, organ recipients and advocates for transplants emphasize the need for more registrations to save additional lives.
Dr. Owen Mooney, Medical Director at Transplant Manitoba, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that increasing the number of registered donors who consent to donation would benefit everyone. This sentiment was echoed by Paul Meilleur, who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that severely impacted his quality of life until receiving a double-lung transplant in early 2025.
Paul’s brother, Adrian Meilleur, also underwent a life-saving lung transplant in 2015. The brothers stress the importance of organ donation and urge more Manitobans to register as donors.
The current number of registered organ donors in Manitoba has nearly doubled since 2018, with an increase of approximately 23,000 in the past five years. Despite this progress, Dr. Mooney acknowledges that there is still a long way to go to meet the demand for organs in the healthcare system.
Greg Unger, Executive Director at the Kidney Foundation of Canada’s Manitoba branch, highlights the need for more education and conversation around organ donation to increase registrations. He emphasizes that every new registration brings hope to those awaiting transplants.
To bridge the registration gap, initiatives are being considered to make the registration process more accessible, such as allowing individuals to sign up for organ donation at government service centers. Additionally, efforts are being made to raise awareness about organ donation through various channels, including tax forms.
Adrian Meilleur, who received a double-lung transplant eleven years ago, emphasizes the transformative impact of organ donation, stating that it offers individuals a second chance at life. He advocates for improved infrastructure in rural areas to ensure timely access to organ transplants.
The government of Manitoba continues to collaborate with Transplant Manitoba to promote organ donation and explore avenues to boost registration rates, aiming to provide more individuals with the gift of life through organ transplants.