Heart and Sole: The Dylan Kalambay story
At 16, Dylan’s life was forever changed.
Three years ago, in November 2020, Dylan Kalambay was a 16-year-old high school basketball star from St. Catharine’s, Ontario. He started coughing a lot. Those small coughs turned into persistent coughs which evolved into shortness of breath and, eventually, a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy. In layman’s terms: Heart failure.
My only option was a heart transplant.
After about 5 months on the transplant list, a donor heart became available. The surgery not only saved Dylan’s life, it gave him an opportunity to live it the way that he loves best: playing basketball.
Canadian Blood Services presents “Heart and Sole”
Dylans’ inspiring journey back to the court and to the game that he loves so much is documented in the documentary Heart and Sole. The film follows Dylan post-transplant as he navigates his relationship with basketball, connects with the organ donation community, and comes to terms with what it means to live with a donor heart.
“I feel like I have lived a pretty extraordinary life,” says Dylan.
Watch Heart and Sole
Host a film screening
If you’d like to host a screening of Heart and Sole and share the impact of organ donation with your community, you can find screening information and resources here.
Register as an organ donor
Choose to leave well so others can live well. Register to be an organ and tissue donor.
“Signing up as an organ donor is one of the biggest acts of bravery and the best thing you can do for someone.”
—Dylan Kalambay, heart transplant recipient
