Moose Jaw Transplant Trot will be happening on Sunday, May 26 this year. 

The event aims to bring awareness to the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor. Kevyn Gadd brought the concept to Moose Jaw after checking out Edmonton’s Transplant Trot, and this will be the event’s seventh year.  

Gadd underwent a double lung transplant in 2014 at the age of 26 and celebrated the 10-year anniversary of receiving his transplant in February. “I haven’t had any complications or anything, which is really good. [I’ve] just been able to do a whole bunch of different stuff that I wasn’t really able to do before that.” 

You can register for this year’s Transplant Trot here, and after registering, you’ll be sent instructions on how to etransfer the signup fee. There’s also an option to pay via cheque. Funds raised go to the Canadian Transplant Association.  

The May 26 event kicks off at 10 a.m. at Sunningdale Elementary School. While online registration closes a week before the run, they will also accept walk-up signups if people arrive by 9:30 a.m. 

“There is the 3K fun run, which is more for the kids, the 5K where you can walk or run, and then we have a 10K run for those who are really into it,” said Gadd.  

He said that the event typically starts off with speeches prior to the run, and at the end they’ll have hotdogs and a chance to mingle with participants.  

“We’ve had several transplant recipients that have been part of it over the years, that have done it. It’s become like a family of us – it's always fun to get together and see everyone again.” 

Gadd said that this year, anyone who has participated in previous years who signs up can bring a friend for free.