Money being raised for Jack Saddleback's transgender surgery

The president of the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union (USSU) is hoping an online fundraising campaign will raise enough money for him to complete gender transition surgery.

JackSaddleback,whowas born a biological female, has been raising money for roughly a year. The cost of the surgery, along with travel and accommodations is expected to be roughly $10,000.

"If I could do it tomorrow, I would jump up and do it tomorrow," saidSaddleback.

"Here in Saskatchewan, medicare does not cover this particular surgery for trans individuals. It only covers 25 per cent of the actual surgery cost. That does not include any of the additional costs."

Saddleback's partner, James Rushton, launched the online campaign as a surprise on Thursday.

"The amount of support that's come out within 24 hours is absolutely humbling," Saddleback said. "I'm just so humbled and grateful for all of the support."

Saddleback wishes the cost of the surgery was covered by medicare in Saskatchewan.

"Provinces such as Alberta fully cover it,Manitoba fully covers it," he said. "If I wanted to fully cover this, James and I would have to uplift ourselves and move over to another province, leave our friends and family behind just so I can get the basic care other individuals across the country are getting."

Previous fundraisers have already raised around $4,000.

Saddleback's online fundraising account can be found here.