On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and St. Boniface Hospital Foundation held the third annual Mega Heart Event at The Wellness Institute in 2026.
The family-friendly heart health event is held every February to coincide with “Heart Month”. The event raises awareness on the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular health and disease prevention, with a particular focus on women’s heart health. The program featured activities such as a 2 km and 5 km family walk, Zumba sessions, CPR/AED demonstrations, interactive science exhibits, educational speaker sessions by researchers and health practitioners, kids’ activities, and giveaways. The event promotes heart-healthy lifestyles, community engagement, and disease-prevention education for all Manitobans.
At the event, Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum, Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, discussed recent developments in heart research. Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin, Principal Investigator for Women’s Heart Health and Cardiometabolic Function, provided insights into heart health for women. Dr. Shuangbo Liu, an interventional cardiologist, talked about microvascular disease and shared what happens in the Cath lab. Jacqueline Hay, PhD student, at Dr. Todd Duhamel’s lab, presented on temperature & activity impacts on heart health. Their presentations highlighted the ongoing research at St. Boniface Hospital Research, focused on improving cardiovascular outcomes.
The event, attended by more than 400 participants, featured the “Science Corner” led by Steve Jones, Director of the Youth BIOlab Jeunesse, which provided visitors explore the anatomy of a pig heart, which is similar to humans and view cells through a microscope.
The event also featured important community recognition. The Honourable Uzoma Asaggwara proclaimed February 13 as Wear Red Day to support Women’s Heart Health in the Province, which was presented by MLA Jelynn Dela Cruz. We also appreciate the presence of MLA Devi Sharma, MLA JD Devgan, and former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Myrna Driedger for attending the event.
We thank the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation for their continued and unwavering support of this event and community research. We also thank the volunteers and sponsors who helped make the day successful, and we value the opportunity to work with other organizations, including the HeartLife Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre, Cardiac Sciences Manitoba, Women with Medical Heart Issues, the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses, and Life in Hearts.
We remain dedicated to researching women’s heart health and supporting a program for Manitoba women facing cardiovascular issues.
Photo credit: Darin Kachanoski, The Wellness Institute