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Why living donation?
- When your kidneys fail, treatment is needed to replace the work your own kidneys can no longer do. There are two types of treatment for kidney failure: dialysis or transplant. A transplant can help patients live longer and more comfortably than using dialysis.
- Many people on the kidney waitlist face significant health challenges while they wait for a kidney transplant. The waiting time for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor is currently lengthy and continues to grow, making it more important than ever to explore alternative options.
- A living donor transplant is when a healthy person chooses to donate one of their two kidneys to someone whose kidneys no longer work. Research has shown that health outcomes are improved when a patient receives a donated organ from a living donor as opposed to a kidney from a deceased donor.
- Today, most people get a kidney transplant after being on dialysis for some amount of time, but that is not the only option. Getting a transplant before you need to start dialysis is called a preemptive transplant. Research shows that a preemptive or early transplant, with little or no time spent on dialysis, can lead to better long-term health. It may also allow you to keep working and have a better quality of life.
How does kidney donation work?
- Living organ donation began in 1954 with the successful transplant of a kidney from one twin to his identical brother. In 2023, over 6,900 people became living organ donors, with more than half of them not being biologically related to the recipient.
- Living donor kidneys last much longer than deceased donor kidneys.
- A living donor doesn’t need to be an exact match to the recipient.
Living Donation: who can donate?
Healthy people can safely donate a kidney
- A family member, friend or even someone you don’t know can be a living donor. Living organ donors make thousands of transplants possible every year.
- Living donors must be at least 18 years old, mentally able to make an informed decision, and in good health.
- A donor can be a good candidate even if they are not a match with you. The transplant center can provide more information about these different types of living donation.
- Directed Donation is when a donor donates a kidney to a family member or friend.
- A Paired Donation or “swap” occurs when two or more pairs of living donors are swapped to make compatible match with the other’s recipient. If someone can donate, their donation can allow you to get a transplant, even if they don’t donate directly to you.
- Non-Directed Donation is when a donor chooses to donate their kidney without naming a specific recipient patient.
- Most living donors say they were happy with the donation experience and that they would do it again. It’s a chance to change someone’s life. In a few cases, related living donors have even reported an improved quality of life after donation.
Living Donation Facts
A healthy person can become a living donor by donating one of their two kidneys.
About 6,000 living donations occur each year. One in three donors are not biologically related to the recipient.
On average, a kidney transplant from a living donor lasts about 15 to 20 years.
More than 600,000 Americans currently receive treatment with dialysis or have received a kidney transplant to stay alive.
Tips to Start Your Search For a Living Kidney Donor
Preparation
- It is important to educate yourself about living donation so you have the knowledge and confidence to talk about your situation with others
- Talk to your transplant team to make sure you understand how potential living donors are evaluated and selected
- Inform the people in your support system, such as your family and friends, on the nature of your disease, your need for a transplant, and the donation process
- Create a list of potential donors. Consider all members or your longstanding communities such as extended family, friends, work, and religious communities
Discussion
- Craft a personal message to share your kidney disease story and your need for a living kidney donor. You can share your message on your personal patient page, in a letter, a group announcement in your community, by email, on social media, or face-to-face discussions
- Make it personal and focus on what your treatment is like, how you feel, and what you hope for in the future
- Invite people to learn more about living donation, and provide online resources or contact details so they can ask questions or reach out to your transplant center
- Give potential donors time to think about their decision. This is not a process that should be rushed
- Prepare yourself for varying reactions from potential donors, including curiosity, hesitation, and refusal
The Next Steps
- People might need time to process the information and consider whether donation is right for them. Follow up with potential donors in a few weeks’ time
- If someone offers to donate, provide them with your transplant center’s living donor screening website link or direct them to your personal patient page
- Invite your friends and family to share your health problems and need for a transplant with their networks to help you find a living donor
Learn more here:
UNOS | Transplant Living: Discussing living donation with family and friends
National Kidney Foundation: Sample Letter to Family and Friends
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