The Courage of Families Awaiting Organ Donation: How Move for Life is Helping Saskatchewan Families in Need

Every year, families across Saskatchewan face the difficult reality of long waits and uncertainty as their loved ones await organ transplants. These families, often left feeling isolated, are thrown into a whirlwind of medical appointments, hospital stays, and the emotional toll of waiting for the call that could save their loved one’s life. At Move for Life Foundation, we are committed to supporting these families, helping to bridge the gaps in care, and working to decrease organ transplant wait times in Canada.

One such family is Xander’s. Xander’s journey began in April 2023 when what seemed like a simple stomach flu turned into a medical nightmare. Misdiagnosed, Xander underwent exploratory surgery that led to a multi-organ failure diagnosis. Xander, his mother Carey, and their family spent 19 long months in and out of hospitals in both Saskatoon and Edmonton, where he finally received a life-saving multivisceral transplant. Thanks to a selfless organ donor, Xander celebrated his 7th birthday, but his journey doesn’t end there. The gaps in medical care for families like Xander’s, forced to receive care out-of-province, highlight the need for better resources and support for Saskatchewan families navigating organ transplants.

Then there’s Emma, a brave little girl diagnosed with biliary atresia at just six weeks old. Emma’s story, like so many others, is a testament to the resilience of both children and their families facing life-threatening illnesses. After a series of surgeries and complications, Emma’s only hope was a liver transplant. However, the search for a suitable living donor took time, and Emma’s condition worsened as she developed a heart condition due to fluid buildup. Miraculously, a living donor was found, and with the support of a deceased donor’s family, Emma received her transplant. Today, she’s a thriving baby living a healthy, happy life—outside of the hospital walls, thanks to the heroic act of organ donation.

How Move for Life is Bridging the Gap

At Move for Life Foundation, we recognize the critical gaps in organ transplant care, particularly for Saskatchewan families who often need to travel out-of-province for specialized treatment. Our mission is not only to raise awareness about organ donation but also to support families facing these challenges directly. This year, we are dedicating our fundraising efforts to help Saskatchewan families requiring organ transplants. By providing financial support, resources, and community outreach, we hope to ease the burden on families navigating these difficult times.

Our efforts are focused on normalizing conversations about organ donation, educating the public, and advocating for shorter wait times across Canada. Organ donation can often feel like a sensitive or taboo topic, but at Move for Life, we aim to bring it into everyday conversation. Every act of organ donation is a story of hope—whether it’s the story of a family saving another’s child or a recipient living a new life thanks to a donor’s selflessness​.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We believe that by sharing the stories of families like Xander’s and Emma’s, we can inspire others to take action. The Move for Life Foundation is built on the principles of compassion, community, and integrity. Every dollar raised goes directly toward supporting families and advocating for a better organ transplant system.

You can help Saskatchewan families today by becoming an organ donor or supporting our foundation through donations. Together, we can create a future where no family has to endure months or years of waiting, where every person who needs a transplant receives one in time.

Join the movement. Let’s make a difference, one life at a time.