Living Donor Program

• Living donors who are biologically related to the recipient
• Living unrelated donors, such as a spouse, friend or co-worker
• Paired kidney donation, which involves an exchange with two or more incompatible pairs so that each recipient is matched with a compatible living donor kidney
• ABO incompatible transplants, which may be possible if a donor can donate to someone with a different blood type
• Altruistic or non-directed donors, are donors who come forward to donate with no intended recipient identified. They often enter the paired exchange program and start a chain of transplants.
• Remote donation allowing a donor to be evaluated and have surgery closer to home
• Advanced donation offers a donor the opportunity to donate within their specified timeframe and provides their recipient with a voucher for transplant when they are ready to receive it.

All living donors must:

• Donate voluntarily
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be healthy with a normal kidney function

As a potential living donor, you will undergo an initial evaluation which includes:

• Education about the process provided by our Living Donor Coordinator.
• Blood and tissue typing to assess your compatibility with a recipient.
• Blood and urine tests, CT scan, and cancer screening as appropriate. (People with cancer cannot donate.)
• Meetings with the Independent Living Donor Advocate, transplant nephrologist, donor surgeon, social worker, living donor coordinator and other members of your team.
• The Living Donor Coordinator will notify you about whether you can donate or not.
• All testing and donor information are kept confidential. No information will be shared with the recipient unless you disclose information to him/her of your own accord.
• We will thoroughly explain any medical, surgical, and psychosocial risks associated with the procedure. As with any major surgery, there is always risk involved, although the risk of major and long-term health problems for kidney donors is minimal.

If you are cleared to donate, we will schedule a surgery date for you, as well as pre surgical testing two weeks before the operation.

• The surgery takes three to four hours and is performed through one large and three small incisions in your abdomen.
• You will spend one to two hours in the recovery room after the operation.

• Though your care plan will be individualized to you, generally after the procedure you can anticipate:
• Expect to stay in the hospital for one to two days. Complete recovery may take four to six weeks.
• Depending on your job, you may return to work in four to six weeks (lifting is restricted for eight weeks)
• You will not be permitted to drive for seven to 10 days (until your staples are removed).
• You will see your donor surgeon for a follow-up visit seven to 10 days after the operation. The Living Donor Coordinator will coordinate the remainder of your follow-up care.
• There is no cost to the donor. Donor evaluation, testing, and surgery are covered by the recipient’s insurance.