Sask. woman with brain tumour advised by province to ‘crowdfund’ for out-of-province treatment

A Saskatoon woman is seeking an apology after being advised by the province to crowdfund for life saving treatment. Hallee Mandryk has the story.

Tammy O’Brien was diagnosed with a brain tumour on her vestibular auditory nerve — a diagnosis that came after a loss of hearing in her right ear and followed by tinnitus and balance issues.

After learning that the tumour was growing, O’Brien was recommended for gamma knife radiotherapy, which is not available in Saskatchewan.

When finding out she would be travelling to Edmonton for the life-saving procedure, O’Brien contacted the office of Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill and spoke with a member of staff to seek options regarding the expenses that come along with out-of-province care.

“I told her I’m on disability, I’m on a fixed income. This would create a hardship. And she gave me a list of charities I could access,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said she was incredibly frustrated to learn that there were no provincial supports for seeking care that’s not available in Saskatchewan.

“I raised two kids by myself, got myself to university and have worked all my adult life, so it was humiliating. And then at the end of the call, she said, ‘Or you could try crowdfunding,’” according to O’Brien.

“And I was shocked. I felt dismissed and degraded.”

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After returning home from Edmonton, O’Brien followed up once again with Cockrill’s office. She forwarded her bill of $854, which covered a return flight, and her low-cost accommodations in an outpatient residence.

“I asked her if they could make an exception in my case. I said I have a rare brain tumor. How often could this possibly happen? And she said, ‘It’s not just a brain tumor. You’d be surprised how many people are travelling out of province,’” according to O’Brien.

“And I was stunned,” she said.

In a statement to CTV, the Ministry of Health said the cost of the patient’s treatment was covered.

“Saskatchewan health provides coverage for publicly funded essential medical services such as hospital and physician visits, even if these are received in another province,” the statement read.

“The Ministry of Health does not provide coverage or reimbursement for travel, accommodations and meal expenses incurred while receiving medical treatment outside of the province or country.”

According to the ministry, in certain circumstances the Canada Revenue Agency may allow travel, accommodation and meal expenses to be claimed as tax deductions under the Income Tax Act.

“There are also a number of community organizations throughout Saskatchewan that may offer assistance to individuals and families in similar situations who may require travel for care, such as Hope Air and the Kinsmen Foundation,” it said.

In the meantime, O’Brien said she has learned about other people who have been in a similar situation, and she plans to continue advocating for more provincial supports when it comes to out of province medical care.

“Ever since I’ve been advocating for myself, I hear this daily that people have to deal with this. Not only a one-shot deal, but some people have to go for weeks or months at a time and stay on their own dime,” O’Brien said.

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