Saskatchewan woman applauds organ donor expense program

One woman in Saskatchewan is thrilled with the provincial government's new program aimed at organ donors. It will provide up to $5,500 to cover travel expenses and lost income for living donors who want to donate organs like a kidney or liver.

Sherry Paterson lives in Saskatoon and nearly 20 years ago, she had a double lung and heart transplant that saved her life. “I'm blessed that I've lived 18 and a half years. My youngest girl who was six months at the time, just graduated from high school last year. I got to see her graduate,” said Paterson.

Although Paterson's donated organs came from a donor who had passed away, she said this program aimed at helping living donors cover their costs is great news. Paterson said she knows knows people who have waited years for an organ, and hopes this program can reduce that wait time by spurring more people to donate. “Sometimes just because your body and your health is deteriorating too much, you don't have that time to wait.”

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