Living donation takes place when a living person donates an organ or part of an organ for transplantation to another person. Living donation is an alternative for individuals who are waiting on the transplant list for a deceased donor organ.

Kidney Transplants performed from living donors may have several advantages compared to transplants performed from deceased donors:

• There is no need to wait for a cadaveric kidney to become available (most living transplants take place four to six months after the evaluation process begins).
• The kidney usually begins to work immediately, even in the operating room. There is a very low occurrence of ATN (acute tubular nephrosis) in living transplants. A cadaveric kidney may not work right away for several reasons. This is known as ATN.
• There are fewer episodes of rejection. As a result, living donated kidneys tend to last longer.
• There is a need for less immunosuppressive drugs, which therefore minimizes the possible side effects.
• Living related transplants can be scheduled. This allows both you and the donor to plan for absences from work, childcare, and other social concerns

In order to qualify as a living donor, an individual must be physically fit, in good general health, and free from high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease and heart disease. Gender and race are not factors used in determining a successful match. As a living donor you must first undergo a blood test to determine if your blood type is compatible with the recipient. If you and the recipient have compatible blood types, you will then undergo an extensive physical work-up to make sure it is safe for you to donate.

Living donors do not have to be related to the person needing a kidney transplant. Altruistic or non-directed donors are also accepted. An altruistic donor volunteers to give away a kidney without knowledge of who is going to receive it.

If your blood type is not compatible with your intended recipient’s blood type, a special program called paired exchange donation may allow your loved one to be transplanted as a direct result of your gift. Incompatible donors and their recipients are placed together on a special paired living donation registry. When incompatible pairs are matched with other incompatible pairs on the registry, one donor donates a kidney to another recipient in exchange for a compatible living donor kidney for their recipient. 

The decision to become a living donor is a voluntary one, and you may change your mind at any time during the process. Your decision and reasons are kept confidential.

The pre-operative evaluation, surgery, hospital stay, and outpatient visits, as well as any medical treatment related to the donor surgery within the first three months will not cost you anything. The recipient’s insurance company will pay for all costs that are not covered by your insurance.

Your only direct costs related to kidney donation may be medications such as pain pills that you may need after returning home from the Medical Center. You will also need to pay for transportation and non-hospital lodging costs related to the evaluation and surgery. Keep in mind that you should plan your household expenses and finances ahead of time to account for time off from work during the evaluation, surgery, and full recovery. Be sure to check with your company’s Human Resources Department to learn what your options are under the Family Medical Leave Act, and for short-term disability and time off. This will be an important part of your decision-making process.

As with any major surgery, there is always a risk of infection or bleeding. Rejection of the donated kidney is also possible.

Our counselors are available to speak with you before, during, and after transplantation about any feelings or concerns you may have.

No.

This decision is made jointly by the transplant team, by you, and by the recipient. The transplant team, particularly the physicians involved directly in your recipient's care, will determine as accurately as possible the best time to do the transplant, based on the recipient's medical condition.

A number of events could happen that may change the date of the transplant. For example, the recipient's condition might deteriorate to the point where he or she is too sick for a transplant. Or, the recipient or donor might develop an infection or some other condition that would need to be treated before the transplant could be done.

All donors are screened and tested before donation to ensure that removing the organ will not affect their health. Living donation does not increase risk of kidney failure or future health complications. Most donors return to their daily routine following recovery, and live a long, happy, and healthy life.