She's giving her sister a kidney, but didn't know the financial toll
A Canadian woman is struggling with the unexpected financial burden of donating a kidney to her sister due to a lack of government support for donor companions. She highlights that the high costs of travel and support may deter potential live organ donors.
Why it matters
The financial barriers to organ donation raise ethical questions about equity and the sustainability of live donor programs.
Amanda Acker is set to give the life-changing organ to her sister, Traci Parker, on Tuesday.
She said the financial strain is leading her to leave the province just a few days after the operation, instead of following the surgeon's advice to stay for one to two weeks.
"The ability to save a life should not depend on your ability to absorb that cost, and that's what's happening right now," said Acker.
Acker started the process to be a live donor in September, after 56-year-old Parker, who has polycystic kidney disease, learned she would either need a transplant or dialysis.
"The first thing I did was take a look at survival rates," Acker said.
"She's very young to be needing a kidney transplant, so to me, this was an important piece of the puzzle."
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