Five minutes with Donovan Alexander

You have a special connection to the Variety Club in Winnipeg. That organization helps families with serious medical conditions. When you were young, you benefitted from the Variety Club. You have an interesting story, don't you?
I was born with two aortas. One was wrapped around my wind pipe. The Variety Club was very helping in getting a doctor to Winnipeg and getting me on a waiting list for surgery. The Variety Club benefits people in need of medical help. They certainly provided a lot of moral support for my family.
Since one of the aortas was wrapped around your wind pipe, it was difficult for you to breathe. When you were 18 months old, there was a chance you would not see your second birthday because of the rare condition. But the Variety Club came through, didn't it?
They saved my life. I'm one of the lucky ones. My condition was so rare. There was no doctor in Winnipeg that could help me. I would have had to fly to Toronto to get on a waiting list. Without the Variety Club, there was no guarantee I'd get that operation.
You haven't forgotten what the Variety Club has done for you. Last summer, you spoke at a Variety Club charity golf tournament that helped raise funds for the organization.
Every year, I take part in their telethon. I still keep in touch with the club. I want to put a face to what peoples' dollars are going toward. I want them to understand how their money helps.
As a Winnipegger, your favorite pro football team is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. You'll be a senior next season, but I imagine you have some thoughts about playing professionally, considering you Sioux career has gone so well.
It'd be a dream come true. I grew up in that stadium selling 50-50 raffle tickets for my high school team. I'd love to play for the Blue Bombers if the opportunity is there. But I don't think about it too much.
You still have another season left with the Sioux. What do you look forward to during the offseason?
What I look forward to the most is the constructive criticism of coach (John) Kelling and coach (Craig) Riendeau at the end of the season. That's what I can use during the offseason to get better.