Gift of Life flag to rise at St. Boniface Hospital to honour organ donors
Sept 18, 2024 - The Gift of Life flag recognition program is expanding.
Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life unveiled the specially designed flag at HSC Winnipeg in 2016 as a way of honouring individuals and families who have chosen to say yes to life-saving organ donation. Starting Sept. 23, the flag will be ready to be raised at St. Boniface Hospital at the main entrance on Taché Avenue. The flagpole and its installation were generously supported by the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.
Since being introduced, the Gift of Life flag has flown more than 270 times in Manitoba as a tribute to the courage, compassion and generosity of living and deceased donors. It serves as a signal to the community of the gift offered to others in need.
“To be able to expand this gesture of recognition is really beautiful,” said Gift of Life medical director Dr. Owen Mooney, who is also the medical director of the intensive care medicine surgery unit at St. Boniface Hospital. “Acknowledging the decision to say yes to organ donation at both HSC Winnipeg and St. Boniface Hospital is a way of further honouring a gift so selflessly offered.”
“The request to participate in the Gift of Life donor recognition program came directly from frontline staff at St. Boniface Hospital who care for patients and families who have made the generous decision to give a gift of life. This action speaks to the level of care and compassion our teams provide and we could not be more proud of the work we do,” said Sarah Gilchrist, director of health services – critical care and education services, at St. Boniface Hospital.
The flag is only ever raised after a donation opportunity has taken place in Manitoba, thanks to support from security/protection services at both sites. Flags will be raised at both locations regardless of where the donation took place. Flags are raised on the Monday following a donation opportunity, and fly for two days each time they are raised.
The flag at St. Boniface Hospital is now ready for service.