New Zealand organization to help its members with organ donation costs

The New Zealand branch of LifeSharers has decide to provide a member a $1,000 to help his or her family with expenses if the donated organs go to another LifeSharers member.

The following is from the organization’s press release entitled $1,000 for organ donors launched (Dec. 3, 2008):

“The thousand dollars is a small token of our appreciation for the contribution that the donor has made in the saving of other Kiwi lives’ said Mr.Tookey (LifeSharers NZ Director). ‘We hope to increase the amount substantially over time as new sponsors come on board.’

Tookey thinks all organ donors funeral expenses should be paid for by the government in recognition of their ‘gift of life.’ to others and in the saving to the health system in terms of getting others off expensive medical treatments by giving them a transplant.

‘I am hoping the new government will take my lead and extend the payment to all organ donors, not just those who are LifeSharers members,’ he said.