By Elizabeth Hayes
Organ transplant experts struggling with a shortage of donors are looking at increasing payments to encourage more people to donate a kidney.
New Zealand has one of the poorest donation rates in the western world and transplant professionals believe one way to encourage more donors would be to make sure their kindness doesn't cost them.
The tributes are still flowing in for 51-year-old Cathy Carr, who died in hospital after she was knocked off her bike over the weekend.
The mother of four donated her heart, lungs and kidneys.
“She was very generous and very giving, whatever she could do, however she could help – that was mum, so that was no issue at all,” says Ms Carr’s daughter Sarah.
But latest figures from Donation New Zealand show such altruism is a rarity here - New Zealand has the lowest organ donor rates in the world.
There is also a desperate shortage of live kidney and liver donors and health professionals say it's time they got a better deal.
They are entitled to the sickness benefit for up to 12 weeks – that's about $2,000, but experts say it's not enough.
“The recipient is well looked after, they get their transportation and accommodation paid for, all the people involved get paid, I get paid,” says organ transplant surgeon Stephen Munn.
“The only person who doesn't get paid adequately at the moment or reimbursed is the donor.”
Mr Munn believes donors should be compensated up to $5,000, but insists its just that – compensation, not the start of trading transplants or organ tourism.
“I think it can easily result in the exploitation of poorer people in the community,” Mr Munn says.
Andy Tookey has been waiting for a liver for his daughter for eight years – he believes the extra money would help bring donors forward.
“There's a lot of people that would like to donate to a family member at present but they can't afford to,” Mr Tookey says.
While nothing will bring their mother back, Sara Carr says knowing her heart saved a life provides comfort in itself.
“That’s something that’s always going to make me feel good – that her heart beats on.”
Despite the money talk, Ms Ccarr hopes conscience rather than cash will turn our dismal organ donation rate around.
3 News