An Ottawa woman preparing to donate a kidney to her sister in Nova Scotia says she was surprised and disappointed to learn that the province will not cover travel expenses for her partner to accompany and support her.
Amanda Acker is scheduled to donate a kidney to her sister, Traci Parker, on Tuesday. Parker, 56, has polycystic kidney disease and was told she would need either dialysis or a transplant.
Donor Says Costs Could Discourage Others
Acker said the financial pressure has forced her to change her recovery plans.
Instead of staying in Nova Scotia for one to two weeks as her surgeon advised, she expects to leave only a few days after the operation because of the added cost of having support with her.
She said saving someone’s life should not depend on whether a donor can personally afford the financial burden.
Why Acker Chose to Donate
Acker began the live donor process in September after learning about her sister’s condition.
She said she immediately looked into survival outcomes and felt the transplant was an important step because Parker is still relatively young to need a kidney transplant.
Living kidney donation can offer strong long-term outcomes. MyHealth Alberta says a kidney from a living donor can often last 15 to 20 years, compared with 10 to 15 years for a deceased donor kidney.
Donation Had to Happen in Nova Scotia
Acker said she had been speaking with live donation program staff in both Ontario and Nova Scotia for months.
She said she believed she was emotionally and financially ready for the surgery.
However, she was told there was no option to complete the donation in Ottawa and have the kidney flown to Halifax. She accepted travelling to Nova Scotia because she believed the necessary expenses would be covered.
Nova Scotia Covers Donor Costs, But Not Companion Costs
Nova Scotia does provide financial support for live donors.
The province’s live organ donor expense reimbursement policy covers eligible out-of-pocket costs such as travel, accommodation and meals for eligible donors.
Acker said Nova Scotia would cover her own costs, including travel support, $125 per night for a hotel and $43 per day for meals.
But she said she was shocked to learn that the province would not pay for her partner to travel with her as a support person.
Acker Says the Policy Was Not Clear Early Enough
Acker said she only fully understood the financial reality about three weeks before surgery.
She said that timing did not feel like informed consent because donors should know about major costs from the beginning of the process.
According to Acker, having someone travel with her to advocate for her in hospital, help her recover and assist her return home would cost about $3,000.
Ontario Program Covers Companion Expenses in Some Cases
Acker compared Nova Scotia’s approach with Ontario’s live organ donor reimbursement program.
Ontario’s PRELOD program reimburses eligible living donors and potential living donors for certain out-of-pocket expenses and lost income during assessment and surgery periods.
The Ontario brochure also says donors who proceed to surgery may be eligible for companion reimbursement for travel, accommodation and meals at the same rate as the donor.
However, Ontario’s program also states that Ontario residents donating an organ to someone in another province are not eligible for PRELOD and should contact the donation program where the surgery takes place.
Health Minister Says Provinces Take Different Approaches
Nova Scotia Health Minister Michelle Thompson said different provinces handle these situations differently.
She said Nova Scotia is doing what it can with the resources currently available.
When asked whether the policy should be reviewed, Thompson said she did not know Acker’s individual circumstances and could not comment directly.
Nova Scotia Health Responds by Email
Nova Scotia Health declined an interview, saying the policy is handled by the province.
In an email response, it said only one or two live donation surgeries in Nova Scotia each year involve donors from outside the province.
It also said financial matters are discussed when donors meet with a social worker, at least four to six weeks before donation.
Nova Scotia Health added that its website is being redesigned and that the updated version will include more information about what donors can expect during the process.
Donor Says Information Should Come Earlier
Acker believes donors should be told about companion coverage from the start so they have time to prepare financially.
She also challenged the idea that the province cannot afford to cover companion expenses.
She argued that supporting live donation could save the health system money by reducing dialysis costs and helping patients receive transplants sooner.
Nova Scotia Health did not provide a specific dialysis cost, saying expenses vary widely depending on each patient’s condition.
Acker Calls for Policy Review
Acker said she is too far into the process to walk away from donating her kidney now.
However, she expects the financial impact to affect her long-term.
She is calling on Nova Scotia to reconsider its policy and take a more realistic view of what donors experience after major surgery.
She said donors are vulnerable after surgery and need someone with them to provide support and advocate for their care.
Amanda Acker’s case highlights a difficult gap in live organ donation policy. While Nova Scotia covers certain donor expenses, it does not cover the cost of a companion, leaving Acker to absorb thousands of dollars while preparing for major surgery.
She says clearer information and more compassionate support could make live donation more accessible and prevent financial barriers from discouraging future donors.