CKPG Today

By Randi-Marie Adams

Prince George woman in dire need of new liver

Apr 2, 2021 | 4:57 AM

Prince George – A Prince George grandmother, who is desperately in need of a new liver, after being diagnosed with a genetic disease called Primary Biliary Cirrhosis says her days are numbered and that there is a growing concern she won’t be covered for medical expenses.

Val Mowatt was diagnosed in October of 2020. She quickly deteriorated and in December of 2020 was told she was in full liver failure. She was given eight to 12 weeks to live.

Her family quickly stepped up and some were tested. Her daughter is a potential match however, B.C. does not do live liver transplants and Val would need to be transferred and have her surgery in Edmonton.

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CKPG reached out to B.C. Transplant for comment:

“Living liver transplant surgeries were performed at Vancouver General Hospital between 2001 and 2015. However, over the last several years the number of deceased organ donors increased significantly, leading to [sic] a greater availability of deceased donor livers.”

Val has written a letter to Health Minister Adrian Dix requesting confirmation from B.C. to have the surgery paid for in Edmonton but she has yet to hear back.

CKPG reached out to the Minister for his response.

“We know needing a transplant is a stressful experience and the province works with Vancouver Coastal Health, Provincial Health Services Authority, and BC Transplant to do everything possible to support each patient’s unique needs,” said Dix. “When patients are sent out of province for transplant, all in-hospital costs are covered through inter-provincial billing.”

Val has already lost two of her sisters to the same genetic disease. Her younger sister Judy passed away eight years ago and her eldest sister Veronica passed only a few months ago.

CKPG will have part two of this story tomorrow.