04/29/2026
Our donors make this possible and we thank you so much! We have permission to share this beautiful email which means so much to our family.
Dear Mackinnon family,
My name is Matheus . I am writing to you to introduce myself and say how incredibly grateful I am for the foundation your family has created in David's honour.
In 2019, I received your scholarship at my graduation to go towards funding my dream of becoming a Pilot. I went to school for 3 years at Conestoga College and learned to fly at the Kitchener/Waterloo Airport. The scholarship money I received from your foundation helped me immensely with the cost of flight training, and also helped give me a purpose and goal that I needed to finish my flight training and do something good with the life I’ve been given.
I am reaching out now to give you a little view into my life, since none of it would’ve been possible if not for your David.
I have spent the last 2 years flying out of the Hamilton Airport for Latitude Air Ambulance. We are a company that specializes in domestic and international patient repatriation. We bring home Canadians who have become ill while abroad.
We also play a crucial role in the transportation of live organs, and the incredibly specialized surgical transplant teams required to make these miracles happen. Last year on Christmas morning, I was called out to fly a team of Doctors from North Bay, Ontario, to Toronto. We helped transport a live Heart to a child that needed it and saved their life on a very magical day. Since last year, I have helped to transfer Lungs, Kidneys, Livers and Hearts to many Canadians desperately in need. And it makes me feel so amazing to be able to play a part in using my skills for the greater good. Everytime I go to work, I am proud of what I am doing, and it is thanks to your foundation for helping me get here.
I just wanted your family to know that David’s foundation is so heartwarming and I have nothing but the utmost gratitude for you since it helped make my dream to fly a reality. I think David would be happy to know that he has helped so many people through the foundation and partnership with St. Josephs, and indirectly through people like me. I’d only wished I had known David because I feel like we would’ve gotten along well. He was an exceptional young man and you are a lovely family for being so selfless. Thank you for everything you’ve done and I wish you all the best!
Wishing you all a wonderful rest of the year, and I hope you all stay happy and healthy.
Kindest regards,
Matheus
(P.S. I have attached a photo of myself from last year on Christmas wearing a Santa hat, holding onto the cooler which contained the live heart.)
