At a Glance
- Rasmus Dahlin’s fiancée, Carolina Matovac, publicly announced a pregnancy loss and her own heart transplant.
- The couple’s ordeal began during a vacation in France and led to a life-saving transplant.
- Dahlin thanked medical staff, the league, and supporters, urging CPR training and organ donation.
- Why it matters: The story highlights the critical role of emergency care and organ donation in saving lives.
Rasmus Dahlin’s fiancée, Carolina Matovac, recently opened up about a pregnancy loss that occurred on what would have been the baby’s due date. The emotional tribute, posted on Instagram on Monday, Jan. 26, also detailed her own heart failure and transplant while the couple was vacationing in France.
Background of the Couple
Rasmus Dahlin, captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and Carolina Matovac are both 25 years old. They were on a plane heading to a hospital when Carolina experienced severe symptoms. Dahlin’s open letter from September 2025 recounted how Carolina’s heart failure began early that summer during a vacation in France.
Pregnancy Loss and Emotional Tribute
In her Instagram caption, Matovac wrote, “Today was meant to be the day we finally met you,” referring to their unborn child. She described the baby as a “hero” who played a vital role in her own survival: “If it weren’t for my worries about you, we might never have called for help and gone to the hospital. Because of that decision, I was in the right place at the right time during my first heart failure.” The post ended with a heartfelt message: “You are our hero, and I hope you are being well cared for in heaven.”
Heart Failure and Transplant Journey
According to Dahlin’s letter, Carolina began feeling ill for a few days before experiencing major heart failure. She received CPR on multiple occasions, sometimes for up to a couple of hours at a time, which ultimately saved her life. Dahlin added that she was transferred to a hospital where she remained on life support for weeks before becoming a recipient of a heart transplant.
The transplant took place in the south of France, specifically in Juan-les-Pins and Marseille. Dahlin thanked the nurses, doctors, and rehabilitation staff at those hospitals, as well as those in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he is from. He wrote, “Without the incredible commitment, expertise, care, and sensitivity of all the people who treated Carolina, we would not be in the position that we are in today, with Carolina recovering well and on the path to a full recovery.”
Gratitude and Advocacy
Beyond medical gratitude, Dahlin expressed thanks to the NHL, the players’ association, and the Sabres’ owners, the Pegula family, who also own the Buffalo Bills. He emphasized that the announcement serves to spotlight the importance of CPR training and organ donation. The Sabres captain noted, “Through my announcement, we hope to spotlight the importance of CPR training and organ donation.”
Key Takeaways
- The couple’s story underscores how immediate CPR can be life-saving.
- Organ donation and transplant can offer a second chance even after severe heart failure.
- Public figures using their platform can raise awareness about critical medical procedures.
- Emotional resilience and gratitude play a vital role in recovery.
The narrative of Rasmus Dahlin and Carolina Matovac illustrates a profound journey from tragedy to recovery, highlighting the lifesaving impact of emergency response and organ donation.
