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- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Saskatoon Police Service Joins Living Donor Circle of Excellence
The Saskatoon Police Service has been recognized for its commitment to supporting employees who choose living organ donation. By joining the Kidney Foundation of Canada's Living Donor Circle of Excellence program, the police service ensures that employees who donate organs will receive paid time off while they recover from surgery.
Paid Time Off for Organ Donors
As part of the program, the Saskatoon Police Service guarantees donors paid time off during their organ donation recovery. Employees are assured of compensation equal to at least 80 percent of their wages when they donate a solid organ, such as a kidney, partial liver, or a lung. This measure is designed to make organ donation more accessible and remove financial obstacles for living donors within the police force.
The Inspiration Behind the Program
The decision to join the Living Donor Circle of Excellence was sparked after Constable Chris Martin sought time off to donate a kidney to his friend, Mike. Saskatoon police Chief Cameron McBride expressed his admiration for Martin's decision, noting, "When I learned what that difference was going to mean and what he was undertaking to do and accomplish, it was extremely remarkable to me that somebody would do that." Following their conversation, Chief McBride recognized the need to make living organ donation more accessible for police service members, stating, "I came to the realization that this is the right thing to do."
Officer's Perspective: Commitment to Service
Constable Chris Martin explained why he chose to become a living donor, saying, "I truly believe that as a member of the police service, we're called to do and be the difference and step up and preserve life, so that's something I could do." Martin added that knowing his employer supported organ donors removed a major barrier, allowing him to focus on his health and recovery after surgery.
Impact on the Community
Errin Willenborg, president of the Saskatchewan branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, emphasized the importance of financial support for living donors. "The mortgage or rent still needs to be paid, and groceries and household expenses do not stop because someone has chosen to help another person," she said. According to Willenborg, supporting employees who become living donors demonstrates care for the community and helps eliminate a significant financial obstacle to donating an organ.
About the Living Donor Program
The Living Donor Circle of Excellence program, run by the Kidney Foundation of Canada, encourages employers to offer practical support to staff considering living organ donation. By providing organ donors benefits such as paid leave during their recovery, organizations can help increase the number of living donors while ensuring their employees are financially supported throughout the process.
Source: cbc.ca.
