A group of lung transplant recipients gathered in Fredericton on Saturday to celebrate their survival and advocate for change.
Carrie Lord had a lung transplant in 2014. She, along with many others, say the financial burden in trying to get the transplant is just as overwhelming.
"We had to sell our house,” said Lord. “We moved out Christmas Eve."
When a New Brunswicker needs a lung transplant, they need to go to Toronto or Montreal, often staying months waiting for their lungs.
"We had to foreclose on our house to move there because we couldn't afford the rent to mortgage our house, plus the rent in Toronto, because it's so high," said lung transplant survivor Gloria Lambert.
Lambert says surviving her transplant was made possible by her support group surrounding her.
"The honest to God struggle that's not just put on me, but it's the financial bearing,” said Lambert. “And the stress that's put on each family member, each friend."
The New Brunswick government provides some funding, but those who have gone through the waiting for a transplant say it's not enough.
"We need Mr. Boudreau and Premier Gallant to sit down with us and discuss this with us," says supporter Joy Noseworthy. "When you go to Toronto and you tell them you're from New Brunswick, they look at you because it's well-known in Toronto that New Brunswick is the worst province when it comes to helping transplants."
The survivors call themselves lucky, but they're hoping there's more help in the future for others in need of a transplant.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.
