WORLD NEWS – FRANCE: The hockey world was shaken when Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin revealed that his fiancée, Carolina Matavac, suffered sudden heart failure while the couple was vacationing in France. Bystander CPR and rapid emergency response were credited with keeping her alive during a terrifying collapse. After being rushed to the hospital and placed on life support for weeks, Carolina underwent a life-saving heart transplant that has given her a second chance and set the family on a long road of rehabilitation.
In an open letter on the Sabres’ website, Dahlin expressed profound gratitude to the doctors, nurses and rehabilitation teams in France and Sweden who cared for his fiancée. He named several medical institutions across both countries, lauding their commitment, skill and compassion, and said without their interventions Carolina would not be on the road to recovery today. The letter paid tribute to the chain of care from bystanders to transplant surgeons.
The couple used the revelation to spotlight wider public health issues revealed by their ordeal. They urged broader CPR training and praised emergency workers for rapid, life-saving efforts. They also emphasized the indispensable role of organ donation, calling donor decisions a gift beyond measure that enables transplantation to save lives when every other option is exhausted. Dahlin and Matavac highlighted how often healthcare workers go overlooked despite their tireless service.
Dahlin thanked the Buffalo community, the hockey world and supporters in Sweden for their outpouring of support, while asking for privacy as Carolina continues rehabilitation. He spoke of her fighting spirit and their confidence in her determination during recovery. The episode stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the power of coordinated medical care, transplantation medicine and community solidarity. They continue to monitor her progress with cautious optimism and gratitude daily.
