Mythic Mosaic Entertainment forges forward with A World Unwritten

A local game-development company combines individualized storytelling with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable interactive experiences.

Mythic Mosaic Entertainment has become a driving force in the gaming industry by creating innovative and immersive experiences. The Winnipeg-based game-development studio focuses on storytelling that allows players to virtually hop right into an AI-driven game.

Kyle Gray is the founder, CEO and technical director of the company, which launched in 2023. The team’s inaugural project, called A World Unwritten, gives players the freedom to decide what direction they’d like the story to take them — and then artificial intelligence builds the story around that idea.

“You create a world and a character inside that world — and then you live in that world through the character’s eyes. You can make any choice and have any conversations you want as the story evolves naturally around you,” Gray said.

New Research Explores Genetic Factors Behind Adverse Reactions to Antidepressants in Young Canadians

Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are among the most prescribed mental health medications for Canadian youth. While SSRIs are generally considered safe and effective, some children experience adverse effects such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, or irritability.

Dr. Abdullah Al Maruf, Assistant Professor of clinical pharmacogenomics at the College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, in collaboration with Dr. Laurence Katz, Professor of psychiatry, are investigating the genetic variants that may predict the likelihood of these adverse effects. By comparing the genetic profiles of youth who tolerate SSRIs well with those who don't, the research aims to identify genetic markers linked to these side effects.

The study will also empower clinicians to provide more personalized and effective treatment for young patients at Health Sciences Centre, improving their mental health care. For more information, visit maruf-lab.org/pgx-simba.html.

Safe Sport Conference on Hazing in Sport

If you play hockey, ref basketball, coach lacrosse, or volunteer at your child’s rowing club, you have the right to a healthy, supportive, and respectful sport experience, free from all forms of maltreatment.

This is what we describe as safe sport.

Unfortunately, hazing is something that some athletes still face as they enter the world of sport. Hazing could be an initiation, or a series of initiations, involving ever-increasing activities that make the young athlete feel uncomfortable, or in some cases, harmed.

In an effort to create safer sport experiences for everyone, Sport Manitoba is hosting another Safe Sport Conference this spring.

Community theatre company wraps up first season

A local theatre company is enjoying a moment in the limelight after recently celebrating its first anniversary.

Hood and Dagger Productions launched in January 2024 and made its mark during its inaugural season.

Husband-and-wife duo Crystal and Brian Hood founded the volunteer-run theatre company following an unforgettable experience on stage together. After the pandemic, Crystal had found herself feeling a bit lost without a clear sense of purpose. When Brian noticed that Holy Hams community theatre in Selkirk was holding auditions for M.A.S.H. — one of Crystal’s favourite shows — they decided to try out. Crystal was elated when both got parts, and her mood suddenly lifted along with the curtain.

“It was just transformational. It was a like a second family. My faith in humanity was completely restored, as well as my self-confidence and sense of purpose,” Crystal said.

Builder’s mortgage provides added convenience during new home construction

  Are you planning to have a new house built?

If so, you should familiarize yourself with what a builder’s mortgage is, says a lending expert with Access Credit Union.

Retail lending manager Joel Billing says builder mortgages are designed specifically to assist homebuyers who are working with a contractor or builder to build a new home.

Unlike a regular mortgage that is paid out in a single lump sum when the purchase of an existing home is completed, a builder’s mortgage is disbursed in stages throughout the building stage of a new house. The first stage is the foundation or ‘floor on’ stage followed by the framing stage, then the roof or ‘lockup’ stage, and finally the finishing stage.

Operation Excellence: A community campaign for surgical innovation at HSC

With donors stepping forward to support Operation Excellence, HSC is purchasing and deploying new, state-of-the-art surgical and diagnostic equipment, and is developing new spaces for surgery and patient care. With the goal to reduce diagnostic and surgical wait lists, your continued support will make a difference for generations of Manitobans.

Learn more and donate at OperationExcellence.ca or call 204-515-5612 or toll-free at 1-800-679-8493. Help us deliver tomorrow's health care, today.

Enjoy today and retire your way with an integrated financial plan

We are living in challenging times. Or to be more precise, financially challenging times.

Over the last few years in particular, Canadians have been grappling with debt, high mortgage rates, and rising prices on everything from groceries to gas.  While we’ve seen some relief recently, many of us are still struggling.

As a result, saving for retirement may have become more challenging.  In fact, according to a recent IG Wealth Management (IG) study, 80 per cent of respondents said that the rising cost of living is making it difficult for them to put money away for retirement.  More generally, more than half reported that they’ve put off saving for retirement due to “financial pressures”.

Despite this, 38 per cent said they hoped to prioritize travel in retirement, while 17 per cent envision working part-time or consulting. One-third plan to focus on hobbies and interests.

International trade training offers bounty of benefits

International trade is at the forefront of plans for many Canadian businesses as they look to expand.

And now more than ever, the expertise of international trade professionals is in demand.

Virginie De Visscher understands this need firsthand, since she pursued her Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation more than 10 years ago. To achieve this designation, she earned a Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) diploma by completing six FITTskills courses. These courses focus on the feasibility of international trade, international market entry strategies, global value chain, products and services for a global market, international trade finance, and international sales and marketing.

Other requirements for the designation include completing three years of full-time work in international trade, agreeing to abide by the CITP standards of ethical conduct and passing a professional exam.

Stronger together: businesses for health care innovation

| "We see remarkable alignment in our values and the values of HSC and the HSC Foundation. We all embrace innovation, we are all committed to a culture of continuous improvement, and we all seek ways to improve life in Manitoba. HSC is Manitoba's hospital, we are Manitoba's builder, and we are proud to invest in the Operation Excellence Corporate Challenge."

—Sarah Anderson, Director; Dan Bockstael, Co-President; and Nick Bockstael, Co-President, Bockstael Construction, Operation Excellence Corporate Challenge Donor

Learn more about our Corporate Challenge at Operation Excellence.ca or call 204-515-5612 or toll-free at 1-800-679-8493.

Bockstael Construction Commits $100,000 to the HSC Foundation’s Operation Excellence Corporate Challenge

Bockstael Construction, a fourth-generation family-owned company, has joined the Health Sciences Centre Foundation's Operation Excellence Corporate Challenge. The Corporate Challenge rallies Manitoba businesses to support the Foundation's bold plan to revitalize and refocus HSC as a surgical centre of excellence and innovation, and to eliminate surgical wait lists by 2030.

Bockstael's $100,000 pledge will help HSC-Manitoba's hospital-continue to acquire minimally invasive surgical equipment and develop new surgical spaces and procedure rooms.

"We are proud to support Operation Excellence," says Sarah Anderson, Director at Bockstael Construction, and a member of the company's ownership group along with her brothers, Co-Presidents Dan Bockstael and Nick Bockstael. "The campaign is focused on innovation and the continuous improvement of surgical care in Manitoba. We are moved by the campaign's vision and its values-they reflect who we are as a local company."

Thank you for putting your heart into helping kids

February is #HeartMonth, and we at the Children’s Hospital Foundation are so deeply grateful for supporters who follow their hearts to help kids.

Over the last four years donors have helped transform the lives of kids who need cardiac care – kids like Max. When Max was born, he had eight holes in his heart as well as narrow airways. Before his first birthday, Max had more than 20 surgeries and spent a significant amount of time in hospital connected to remote monitored equipment.

You can imagine, remote monitored equipment allows health care teams to keep a close eye on kids’ vital signs while they’re in hospital without being right beside them. Children’s Hospital’s amazing staff can check in on any patient from any of the centralized monitoring locations.

We are pleased to share that thanks to $6.5 million of generous donor support we will be able to outfit all 100 inpatient beds at Children’s with this game-changing technology.

I belong

Michael is a vibrant and playful five-year old who lives with cerebral palsy, a condition affecting his movement, posture and eyesight. Michael receives exceptional care from the dedicated team at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children. He requires ongoing support to ensure his development and quality of life.

Known for his infectious ear-to-ear grin, Michael lights up every room he enters. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation is able to make a profound difference in his life, enabling him to access the tools and support he needs to thrive.

Your investment is integral to the Centre continuing to be a national leader in pediatric rehabilitation. Donor contributions fuel advancements in specialized equipment, innovative programs, leading-edge technology and research.

Equipping for Excellence

Through the generational Operation Excellence campaign, the HSC Foundation is acquiring the best surgical equipment available so that patients can have the best outcomes possible.

Thanks to your generosity, we have already acquired over $30 million in new minimally invasive surgical equipment and essential upgrades at HSC.

Surgical patients are spending fewer days in hospital, recovering more quickly, experiencing less pain, and returning more seamlessly to the lives they love. And for some patients, the new technology presents a surgical option where none existed before.

Operation Excellence aims to eliminate surgical wait lists, reduce pressure throughout the health care system—including HSC’s Emergency Department—and foster a culture of innovation for the benefit of all Manitobans.

Together, we can end diagnostic and surgical wait times at HSC

I came to HSC because there is an exciting push here to improve patient care and decrease wait times. The state-of-the-art technology that we have acquired—funded by the HSC Foundation—is improving the lives of patients. Your ongoing support of Operation Excellence is making a difference.

— Dr. Alysa Almojuela, Neurosurgeon, HSC Winnipeg

Your support will help HSC innovate, excel, and deliver tomorrow's health care—today.

Learn and donate at OperationExcellence.ca or call 204-515-5612 or toll-free at 1-800-679-8493.

Thank you for giving Better Futures in 2024

While the start of a new year brings excitement at the thought of all the wonderful moments to come, it also offers us the opportunity to reflect on last year’s achievements, accomplished through the generosity of our donors and sponsors and the hard work of volunteers, community supporters and staff.

Thanks to an astonishing 60,000 donations, 2024 was the year that the Better Futures campaign surpassed its five-year goal of $75 million, reaching an extraordinary $87 million, funding critical infrastructure, life-saving medical equipment and technology, innovative programming, and leading edge pediatric research at Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM).

The Government of Manitoba saw our community’s commitment, and in November, invested $25 million to improve pediatric care at HSC Children’s Hospital, bringing the Better Futures campaign impact to an astounding $112 million.

In February, we celebrated 2023 Champion Child, Pacey Wall who attended more than 40 events to share his story and raised $34,000 to split between HSC Children’s Hospital and CHRIM. Pacey was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Manitoba chapter for his hard work and dedication.