Every year, over 2,100 Manitobans experience a heart attack. When a serious heart attack occurs, time is muscle – the sooner a blocked artery is opened, the more heart muscle can be saved. Every minute of delay means more damage, longer hospital stays, and worse outcomes.

Calling 911 leads to faster diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening heart attacks. Yet, Manitoba has the second-lowest rate of ambulance use in Canada, with only 53% of heart attack patients calling 911. Too many patients are still choosing to drive themselves or be driven by others, delaying lifesaving care.

The Campaign

The Dial Don’t Drive project began in 2022 as a public awareness campaign. Through social and traditional media, we educated Manitobans about:

• The symptoms and warning signs of a heart attack

• Why calling 911 is the safest and fastest way to get treatment

The campaign reached over 273,000 people on Facebook and Instagram, sparking important conversations about heart health across the province.

What’s Next

While the public awareness campaign has wrapped up, our team is now analyzing its impact. By studying changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, we can refine future strategies to reduce delays and improve outcomes for Manitobans experiencing heart attacks.

How You Can Help

Your donation will support our team in collecting and analyzing data from this campaign. By understanding what worked, we can strengthen public awareness efforts, save lives, and ensure more Manitobans know: Dial, Don’t Drive.