'Mr. Saskatchewan' Frank Leier honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal
Frank Leier, the 100-year-old man also known as "Mr. Saskatchewan," was recognized Friday for his extraordinary contributions to cystic fibrosis advocacy.
In a ceremony held at the Green Falls Landing retirement home in Regina, Leier received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, honouring his efforts to improve care for those living with the genetic disease.
The federal honour recognizes people who have "made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada," according to the Government of Canada's website.
Leier said that it was an unbelievable moment.
"I never thought something like this would happen," Leier said after receiving the medal in front of friends and family. "There are no words to express it. Never, in my little mind, did I dream something like this would ever happen."
Leier's efforts led to the creation of the first Cystic Fibrosis Canada chapter in Saskatchewan. (CBC News)
It began when his daughter Lorna McEwan was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system.
Leier and his family dedicated themselves to finding better treatment options and pushing for accessible care. He was instrumental in the push for provincial coverage of Trikafta, a breakthrough medication that has since helped many cystic fibrosis patients.
"When I started on Trikafta, it was a huge game-changer," McEwan said. "Within 24 hours, there was a change for the better. My lungs started opening up, and the mucus started coming out."
After the family learned about the drug's potential, they lobbied tirelessly to have the provincial government cover the costs, writing letters to MLAs and pushing politicians every chance they got.
Trikafta is now covered by the province for patients aged two years and up.
"If we had to buy Trikafta, it would be over $300,000 a year, that would be my cost. So we're very thankful that the provincial government covered," McEwan said.
Leier's efforts led to the creation of the first Cystic Fibrosis Canada chapter in Saskatchewan, as well as grants for research and advocacy.
"We traveled across Canada and the U.S. trying to find answers. And while we didn't find a cure, we helped the research grow until better treatments, like Trikafta, came along," Leier said.
For Lorna, the medal and the recognition of her father's efforts are a testament to his unyielding determination.
"He doesn't do any of this for awards," she said. "He just does what's right. That's what he's been like all his life, and I think he's passed that down to us."
