Manitoba has seen a surge in organ donor sign-ups, marking the highest numbers since the inception of its online registry over a decade ago. Despite this progress, only six percent of Manitobans are currently registered as donors, prompting calls for increased efforts to boost enrollment and ultimately save more lives, according to organ recipients and transplant advocates.
Dr. Owen Mooney, medical director at Transplant Manitoba, stressed the critical need for more donors, emphasizing the urgency and benefits of increased registrations. He highlighted the disparity between the likelihood of needing an organ compared to becoming a donor oneself.
One such recipient, Paul Meilleur, shared his experience battling pulmonary fibrosis, a debilitating lung condition that significantly impacted his daily life. Following a successful double-lung transplant in early 2025, Paul’s brother, Adrian Meilleur, also survived a similar condition thanks to a lung donation. The siblings underscored the life-changing impact of organ donations and advocated for greater participation in Manitoba.
Transplant Manitoba reported that approximately 75,000 Manitobans had signed up as organ donors by August, nearly doubling the number of registered donors since 2018. Despite this progress, Dr. Mooney acknowledged the ongoing need to expand registration efforts.
Greg Unger, executive director of the Kidney Foundation of Canada’s Manitoba branch, emphasized the importance of educating the public about organ donation processes to encourage more registrations. He highlighted the reliance on deceased donors in the current system and stressed the role of each new registration in providing hope to those in need.
Efforts are underway to streamline the donation process, including the implementation of mandatory notification systems in provincial intensive care units to facilitate discussions about organ donation. Dr. Mooney suggested exploring additional registration avenues, such as integrating donor sign-ups into routine government interactions like driver’s license renewals or health card applications.
While public support for organ donation is high, there remains a disconnect between support and actual registration numbers. Mooney emphasized the significance of family consent in donation decisions and the need for increased awareness and conversation surrounding organ donation.
Looking ahead, Manitoba aims to collaborate with Transplant Manitoba to enhance organ donation promotion and explore innovative ways to boost registration rates. The ultimate goal is to offer more individuals a second chance at life through the gift of organ donation.
