Home / Health / Manitoba Organ Donors: Record Sign-ups, Still Low Registration
Manitoba Organ Donors: Record Sign-ups, Still Low Registration
31 Aug
Summary
- Manitoba reached record organ donor registrations but only 6% are enrolled.
- One recipient shared his life-changing double-lung transplant experience.
- Advocates seek more registration methods beyond the online system.
Manitoba has achieved its highest organ donor registration numbers since its online registry launched over a decade ago. However, this surge means only six percent of eligible adults are currently enrolled, according to Transplant Manitoba. Organ recipients and transplant advocates emphasize the critical need for more registrations to save lives, noting the constant demand within the healthcare system.
Paul Meilleur, a recipient of a double-lung transplant in early 2025, shared his journey from being unable to breathe to regaining an active life, underscoring the impact of organ donation. His brother, Adrian, also received a life-saving lung transplant in 2015. Their stories highlight the profound importance of donation.
Despite overwhelming public support, actual registration rates remain low. Last year, six individuals in Manitoba died while awaiting an organ, and 243 patients were on the transplant list at the end of 2025. To address this gap, experts like Greg Unger from the Kidney Foundation of Canada advocate for increased public education and more accessible registration processes, such as integrating it with services like driver's license renewals or health card sign-ups.
Manitoba's health minister's office stated that the province is actively collaborating with Transplant Manitoba to promote organ donation and explore opportunities to boost registration. The urgency for more registered donors is clear, as each new registration brings the province closer to providing more life-saving opportunities for those in critical need.
