Better Winnipeg: Women in Leadership Award winner, Milena Pirnat

READ MORE: 2015 Leadership Award winner makes time for many things

Volunteering is a full-time job for Pirnat. She’s been involved in one way or another with the Canadian Hemophilia Society, Manitoba Chapter (CHS-MC) since her son was diagnosed with the blood disorder at a young age.

The diagnosis of mild hemophilia A for their son Bojan, happened shortly after her family immigrated to Winnipeg from Bosnia. The family had survived attacks in their home city of Sarajevo and now they had another battle on their hands.

Even with a background as a physician, the family still didn’t know what to expect.

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She became actively involved with the CHS-MC when her son was in his twenties.

Volunteering is something Pirnat is passionate about. The list is long with all that she’s involved in. Pirnat led the education committee at CHS-MC to develop a yearly education program schedule to address the needs of the varied bleeding disorders in the community. She engaged members in planning education sessions related to their specific needs.

One of her proudest accomplishments is the creation of the Facebook page, Hemophilia Mother, in 2010.

“I felt because I didn’t have my family here, and sometimes you do feel a bit isolated because Hemophilia is kind of a rare disorder and I don’t think that many people can relate really,” said Pirnat.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I felt because I didn't have my family here, and sometimes you do feel a bit isolated because Hemophilia is kind of a rare disorder and I don't think that many people can relate really," said Pirnat.

“It started really with a few people, like 30 people locally and then slowly you know many people from the States, other countries and became a really good international support group,” she added. “People started talking about what’s going on with them, showing their bruises and sharing their experiences.”

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“I am very humbled and honoured to receive this award,” Pirnat said. “I hope that this award shows that an immigrant woman and their contribution to society can maybe be seen a bit different.”

Pirnat will also be attending the World Congress of Hemophilia in Orlando this coming July.

Here’s just a few of Milena Pirnat’s contributions to the CHS-MC:

• Part of the CHS National Twinning Committee that twins with Bangladesh
• Chair of the CHS-MC Twinning Committee
• Chair of the CHS-MC Education Committee, piloting a new program this year called “Mom Chat”
• MyGirlsBlood Ambassador