The average wait time for a lung transplant is 6-9 months and the average recovery time is 3-6 months. Lung transplant patients are required to live within 2 hours of a lung transplant centre for this entire period.   The Nova Scotia Provincial government covers cost of operation and medical expenses, and has recently announced funding assistance for living expenses of patients living out of province for longer than 3 months. Out of pocket expenses can be more than $20,000 per patient in the first 3 months. In some cases, these expenses are prohibitive and may rule out transplant as an option for some people.  Currently there are between 10 and 12 Nova Scotians on the waiting list for lung transplant or in post-transplant rehabilitation programs away from home.  The NS Lung Transplant Fund was set up and administered by the Lung Association of Nova Scotia to assist in Nova Scotian lung transplant patients’ expenses.  On August 7th, 2007 nslungtransplant.ca host, Trevor Umlah received a double lung transplant at Toronto General Hospital. Trevor was placed on the waiting list in mid-July and waited only 3 weeks. He was discharged from the rehab after only 3 months. Despite spending the absolute minimum amount of time away from home, Trevor estimates his expenses were over $20,000. Trevor was very thankful for the funding he received from the NS Lung Transplant Fund, most of which was raised by his hockey team Bernie’s Aces and from the Bernie’s Gentlemens Hockey League.  Trevor & and his wife Nancy Lee have founded an annual golf tournament to coincide with the anniversary of his transplant to raise funds for the NS Lung Transplant Fund to assist in the travel and living expenses of current and future transplant patients.  Nslungtransplant.ca also holds fundraising raffles and auctions from time to time in an effort to ensure that the NS Lung Transplant Fund can continue to provide assistance to Nova Scotian lung transplant patients living out of province.