1. Do donors have to take special medication for the rest of their life?

No. Donors are advised to limit consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID’s) like ibuprofen and naproxen.

2. Can donors drink alcohol after kidney donation?

Alcohol is filtered through the liver, not the kidneys. Personal decisions about alcohol consumption should not need to specifically consider the kidneys.

3. Does kidney donation shorten my lifespan?

No, although there are risks associated with any major surgery. Studies have shown that kidney donors have a longer lifespan than the general population, presumably due to the fact that the average kidney donor is healthier than the average adult in the general population.

4. Can donors exercise after donating a kidney?

There will be a period of time where the healthcare team will advise that the donor rest and recover prior to resuming their usual exercise routine. In general, donors are asked to refrain from heavy lifting for approximately 6 - 8 weeks.

5. I have a recipient in mind for my donation. How do I know if I am a match with my recipient?

The transplant center will test both you and your recipient to see if you are a match for a direct donation. If you are not a match, you may still donate to your recipient through paired kidney exchange or a voucher donation. See https://www.kidneyregistry.org/for-donors/i-know-someone-who-needs-a-kidney/standard-voucher-donation/

6. My family is concerned that if I donate my kidney, what will happen if one of them needs a kidney at some point?

The Family Voucher is designed to address this concern. The donor gives a voucher for up to five family members. If one of them needs a kidney any time in the future, the individual is prioritized for a living kidney transplant.

8. When can I go back to work?

Donors with desk jobs that don’t require heavy lifting can typically return to work within 2 - 4 weeks. Donors with a laptop working from home may feel ready to resume work almost immediately. Donors who have more active jobs may need 6 - 8 weeks to fully recover. Donor Shield reimburses the donor for lost wages accrued while taking time off work.

10. What will my recovery be like?

Nephrectomy (removal of kidney) is major surgery no matter the method of donation, and there will be tenderness in the abdominal area. Most donors experience mild pain in their shoulder, and cramping in their intestines as a result of the anesthesia which is common after laparoscopic surgery. Recovery time and level of pain depends on the individual donor, but most are encouraged to walk around their hospital floor as much as possible the day of surgery and subsequently, as this will help speed the recovery process.

11. How long does the testing process take?

The average testing process could take 3 to 4 months, but may be longer depending on the donor’s availability and acquisition of requested medical documents.

12. What are the requirements to determine whether or not I can be a donor?

To donate a kidney, you must be in good physical and mental health. As a general rule, you must be 18 years or older. You must also have normal kidney function. There are some medical conditions that could prevent you from being a living donor. These include, but are not limited to, having uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, acute infections, or a high BMI.

14. Do I have to follow a special diet after donation?

Donors do not need to follow a special diet. Nutrient-rich foods will help you keep your weight in check and lower your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. That, in turn, will keep your kidney healthy. Some doctors recommend that donors should avoid eating too much protein, especially from protein powder or supplements. That’s because excess protein may make your kidney work harder.

15. How does a kidney paired donation, also called a kidney swap, work?

Sometimes a transplant candidate has someone who wants to donate a kidney to them, but tests reveal that the kidney would not be a good medical match. Kidney paired donation, or KPD, also called kidney exchange, gives that transplant candidate another option. In KPD, living donor kidneys are swapped so each recipient receives a compatible transplant. See kidney paired donation for more information.

16. Up until what point can I change my mind about becoming a living kidney donor?

Although it is not a good idea to donate if you don’t feel 100% confident about doing it, a donor may change their mind until the anesthesiologist renders them unconscious.

17. How big or noticeable of a scar will I have?

Most kidney donations are done laparoscopically with minimal noticeable scarring. In rare circumstances, a larger incision may be made if the surgeon deems it necessary for the safety of the donor.

18. Is there an age restriction for kidney donation?

Although age requirements vary at different centers, the minimum age at some centers is 18 years old. Some centers have no maximum age for kidney donation if the donor is deemed healthy and medically able to proceed.

19. Can I still have children after I donate?

Yes. Many women have children after kidney donation without any issues related to donation. As always, it is recommended that women who may plan to have children discuss this with their donor care team.

20. Can I receive compensation for donating a kidney?

Donors may not be compensated for donating a kidney. However, expenses associated with donation (travel, lodging, etc.) may be reimbursed by the National Kidney Registry , the National Living Donor Assistance Center, or American Living Organ Donor Fund . You may also be eligible for lost wage reimbursement through one of these organizations.

Kidney Donor Information

Things to consider when Donating your Kidney

Benefit 1

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MATCH TO BE DON'S DONOR!

The recipient doesn't need to have the same blood type or be a perfect match anymore. There are wonderful programs that help even the hardest to match kidney, with your help!

Read about these programs >

VOUCHER PROGRAM

This program allows a living kidney donor to choose the most convenient time frame for their kidney donation surgery and provide one or more vouchers to people who can then be prioritized to receive a living donor kidney through the NKR if/when they need a transplant. Voucher donation, which has been referred to in the medical literature as a paired exchange separated in time, allows donors to overcome chronological incompatibility.

STANDARD VOUCHER

The standard voucher is utilized when a family member or friend is in imminent need of a kidney transplant (within a year) and the donor would like to donate sooner rather than later. The person in imminent need will receive a voucher for a living donor kidney, which can be activated at any time. In addition to the voucher holder in imminent need, the donor can also name five family members as back-up voucher holders should the voucher holder in imminent need receive a deceased donor transplant.

FAMILY VOUCHER

The family voucher is utilized when a donor does not know someone in immediate need of a kidney transplant and wants to help others in need by starting a chain and donating their kidney to a stranger. The Family Voucher Program allows for up to five family members of the donor to receive vouchers that can be activated if one of the family members ever needs a kidney transplant. Once the first voucher is redeemed, all other vouchers related to that donor become void and cannot be redeemed.

Benefit 2

You don't have to pay for it!

The recipient’s insurance pays for the donor’s testing, evaluation, and surgery, even in the case of a donor doing a non-directed direction.

Benefit 3

The Hospital stay isn't usually longer than 3 nights!

In general, donors stay 1 - 3 nights in the hospital. The surgeon and healthcare team ultimately decides when the donor can be discharged, and most only need occasional Tylenol once home. Donors are advised to adhere to lifting restrictions and instructions from the healthcare provider.

Benefit 4

You get to save someone's life!

READ: Living Kidney Donor Frequently Asked Questions

Screening & Testing

consider living donation consider-living-donation considering considering kidney donation considering kidney donor considering-kidney-donation considering_kidney_donor donation donor donor care network donor shield donor-shield donors finance.yahoo.com healthcare.utah.edu how-safe-is-donation kidney kidney donation kidney foundation kidney transplant kidney-donation-all-you-need kidney.org kidneys kidneytransplant living-donation mayo clinic national kidney foundation national kidney registry national-donor-day-my-kidney-donation-story non-directed-living-kidney-donors risks and benefits of risks and benefits of living share-your-spare side-effects-after-donation transplant transplants

Independent Living Donor, Living-Donor Kidney Transplant, Receiving A Kidney, National Kidney Registry.

living kidney donate donation kidney donation paired kidney donors 1 day living major surgery 1 week donors complete pre 4 days complete surgery about activities after normal activities after 6 months donation experience living donor process we intimately intimately people donation performance major commitment that refrain jobs may demanding jobs may 5 hours involves extensive commitment that before returning changing gift year before they athletes involves extensive testing flying donors with physically performance athletes donation performance levels complete standard recovery before returning

Living kidney donation, considering kidney donation
Kidney transplant (KT), is the transfer of a kidney into a patient with end stage renal disease. It is considered as a treatment of choice in patients whom both kidneys have left functioning properly. Kidney transplant is typically divided into two categories i.e. deceased donor transplant (cadaveric) and living donor transplant. Living donor transplant is further divided into genetically related (living-related) and unrelated (living unrelated) transplant, depending upon whether a blood relation exists between the donor and the recipient.
When is a Kidney Transplant Needed?
A person’s both kidneys are not usually removed and replaced with a single kidney unless there is a medical reason to do so. Kidney transplantation becomes necessary when renal failure becomes irreversible. When both the kidneys of a person stop functioning as in end stage renal disease (ESRD), considering kidney transplant becomes inevitable. A transplant is not done in acute kidney disease, when a kidney is failed and the other is still functioning properly.
Why a Transplant Is Needed in ESRD?
Acute kidney injury may be managed with regular dialysis however, it is not feasible in case of kidney failure. As dialysis is a painful procedure, replaces some degree of filtration of waste products, and is needed to be carried out on regular basis, a permanent solution is needed to address the problem.
Kidney transplantation when a suitable donor is available and no contraindications are present, offers the best treatment option for the complete rehabilitation of a patient.
Patients with renal failure who receive a kidney transplant are shown to live a long healthy life than those with renal failure and who are on dialysis (1). A kidney transplant is mostly referred to as “a gift of life” as it lets the person enjoy a normal healthy life again.
Living Donor Kidney Transplant
In a living donor kidney transplant, a kidney from a healthy donor is removed and placed into the patient with end stage renal disease. Only one kidney from a living healthy donor replaces the two failed kidneys, thus making living kidney donation an alternate to deceased donor transplant.
In 2018, an estimated 95,479 kidney transplants were performed worldwide, 36% of which came from living donors (2). Living kidney donation transplant has the following benefits over the deceased donor transplant:
• In deceased donor transplantation, a person’s name is placed on a waiting list and it may take years to find a suitable match. It becomes very difficult for a person with kidney failure to wait for years. In a living donor transplant, less time is spent on waiting which prevents further complications and deterioration of the recipient’s health.
• Avoidance of dialysis if not initiated yet.
• Better short and long term survival rates
• Deceased kidney transplant is an unscheduled, emergency procedure while in living kidney donation, the transplant is scheduled in advance by a doctor as soon as you find your donor.

The potential risks in considering kidney donation transplants are more or less the same in both types. They may include risks associated with the surgery, autoimmune organ rejection, and side effects of anti-rejection medications.
What to Expect?
While considering a kidney transplant, the major thing to consider is organ rejection and compatibility. The recipient must remain on immunosuppressant for the rest of their life to prevent their bodies from rejecting a newly placed kidney. In living kidney donation transplant, the donor is usually someone you know like a relative, friend, or coworker. Genetically related family members are more likely to be compatible living kidney donors.
Both the donor and the recipient in living kidney donation are thoroughly evaluated medically for compatibility. In general, the recipient’s blood and tissue type need to be compatible with the donor. However, if they don’t match, the transplant can still be successful with some medical treatments pre and post-transplant to suppress the immune system to avoid rejection. (3) Your transplant center may also offer you to participate in a paired donation program where your donor gives a kidney to someone else who is compatible. Then you receive a compatible kidney from that recipient's donor.
Once you've been matched with a living kidney donor, the kidney transplant procedure will be scheduled in advance. The kidney donation surgery (donor nephrectomy), and your transplant typically occur on the same day.
NKDO is a National Kidney Donation Organization in the United States that helps educate prospective living kidney donors to donate as safely and effectively as possible. We are devoted to helping end the kidney crisis in the country. If you are considering kidney donation, we are here to help you with all the aspect of living kidney donation. For more information, visit our website https://www.nkdo.org/.

Welcome to the National Kidney Donation Organization - Advocating for Living Kidney Donors - Kidney - Donor - Donation - Living - Donors - considering living kidney donations,considering kidney donations, living kidney donations, kidney donations -Transplant - Surgery - Recipient - Health - Person - Life - Process - Hospital - Someone - Blood - Time - Insurance - Risks - People - Transplants - Program - Family - Evaluation - Kidneys - Center - Organ - Tests - Patients - Staff - Exchange - Need - Transplantation - Match - Decision - Care - Years - Days - Complications - Disease - Team - Kidney Donation - Living Donor - Living Donors - Living Kidney Donor - Kidney Donor - Kidney Transplant - Kidney Donors - Organ Donation - Transplant Hospital - Living Donation - National Kidney Registry - Hospital Staff - Kidney Failure - Transplant Center - Living Kidney Donation - Transplant Hospital Staff - Transplant Recipient - Kidney Disease - Evaluation Process - Blood Type - Potential Donors - Potential Donor - Transplant List - Health Insurance - Deceased Donor - Independent Living Donor - Intended Recipient - Donation Process - Organ Donors - Living-donor Kidney Transplant - Donor - Transplant - Kidney Donation - Surgery - Kidney Transplant - Nkr - Kidneys - Patients - Dialysis - Evaluation - Blood - Risks - Organ Donation - Tissue - Mayo Clinic - Reimbursement - Deceased - Kidney Failure - Starfish - Myth - Donation - Donate A Kidney - Kidney Transplants - Transplanted Kidney - Transplantation - Organ Donation - Transplant - Receiving A Kidney - National Kidney Registry - Organs For Transplant - Joseph E. Murray - Donated Organs - Transplant Surgery - Nephrology - Rejection - Organ Donor - Kidney Donor - Donor - Kidney - New Kidney

Complete the screening and medical history

45 Minutes

Center will contact you

+/- 3 Days

Complete standard workup

+/- 3 Days

Get cleared for donation!

1-4 Weeks

Surgery & Recovery

*Most people can return to normal activities after 2 – 4 weeks. Donors with physically demanding jobs may need 4 – 6 weeks of recovery before returning to work. High-performance athletes will need 6 months to a year before they are back to pre-donation performance levels.

When you’re ready to get started with the screening process, click the button below.

Take the First Step

Complete pre-op

1 Day

Complete surgery

1-5 Hours

Recover in Hospital

1-4 Days

Refrain from flying

1 Week

Recover at home!

1-4 Weeks

Hear real stories from other living kidney donors, host Laurie Lee & Donor Diaries

Donor Diaries is a podcast about the beauty and messiness of living organ donation. Get ready for some amazing stories about what happens when people decide to share their organs with other people,

when people chose to share life.

Listen on Donor Diaries or Download Audio

Download: "Who Shall Live"

Listen to: "Who Shall Live"

Download: "Leverage"

Listen to: "Leverage"

Download Kidney Manifesting

Listen to: Kidney Manifesting

Download: "The Dan & Laurie Episode"

Listen to: "The Dan & Laurie Episode"

People who have donated say...

“I’ve since spoken with a number of non-directed donors, and I can tell you that the epiphany that I felt was shared by virtually every one of them, almost to a person. That sense of ‘I have to do this, I want to do this, I must do this’. It’s a common theme.”

- Ned Brooks

[After seeing a TV segment]

“A switch went

off and I said,

‘I’m doing it.’” – Tom

“Suddenly one day I was like ‘I need to do this.’ . . . It just became clear to me.”

- Maggie

Living Kidney Donor Candidate

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do donors have to take special medication for the rest of their life?

No. Donors are advised to limit consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID’s) like ibuprofen and naproxen.
2. Can donors drink alcohol after kidney donation?

Alcohol is filtered through the liver, not the kidneys. Personal decisions about alcohol consumption should not need to specifically consider the kidneys.
3. Does kidney donation shorten my lifespan?

No, although there are risks associated with any major surgery. Studies have shown that kidney donors have a longer lifespan than the general population, presumably due to the fact that the average kidney donor is healthier than the average adult in the general population.
4. Can donors exercise after donating a kidney?

There will be a period of time where the healthcare team will advise that the donor rest and recover prior to resuming their usual exercise routine. In general, donors are asked to refrain from heavy lifting for approximately 6 - 8 weeks.
5. I have a recipient in mind for my donation. How do I know if I am a match with my recipient?

The transplant center will test both you and your recipient to see if you are a match for a direct donation. If you are not a match, you may still donate to your recipient through paired kidney exchange or a voucher donation. See https://www.kidneyregistry.org/for-donors/i-know-someone-who-needs-a-kidney/standard-voucher-donation/
6. My family is concerned that if I donate my kidney, what will happen if one of them needs a kidney at some point?

The Family Voucher is designed to address this concern. The donor gives a voucher for up to five family members. If one of them needs a kidney any time in the future, the individual is prioritized for a living kidney transplant.
7. Who pays for the donation surgery?

The recipient’s insurance pays for the donor’s testing, evaluation, and surgery, even in the case of a donor doing a non-directed direction.
8. When can I go back to work?

Donors with desk jobs that don’t require heavy lifting can typically return to work within 2 - 4 weeks. Donors with a laptop working from home may feel ready to resume work almost immediately. Donors who have more active jobs may need 6 - 8 weeks to fully recover. Donor Shield reimburses the donor for lost wages accrued while taking time off work.
9. How long will I be in the hospital?

In general, donors stay 1 - 3 nights in the hospital. The surgeon and healthcare team ultimately decides when the donor can be discharged, and most only need occasional Tylenol once home. Donors are advised to adhere to lifting restrictions and instructions from the healthcare provider.
10. What will my recovery be like?

Nephrectomy (removal of kidney) is major surgery no matter the method of donation, and there will be tenderness in the abdominal area. Most donors experience mild pain in their shoulder, and cramping in their intestines as a result of the anesthesia which is common after laparoscopic surgery. Recovery time and level of pain depends on the individual donor, but most are encouraged to walk around their hospital floor as much as possible the day of surgery and subsequently, as this will help speed the recovery process.

Picture of a microphone pointing to a phone talking about Leverage and kidney donation chains by Laurie Lee.

11. How long does the testing process take?

The average testing process could take 3 to 4 months, but may be longer depending on the donor’s availability and acquisition of requested medical documents.
12. What are the requirements to determine whether or not I can be a donor?

To donate a kidney, you must be in good physical and mental health. As a general rule, you must be 18 years or older. You must also have normal kidney function. There are some medical conditions that could prevent you from being a living donor. These include, but are not limited to, having uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, acute infections, or a high BMI.
14. Do I have to follow a special diet after donation?

Donors do not need to follow a special diet. Nutrient-rich foods will help you keep your weight in check and lower your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. That, in turn, will keep your kidney healthy. Some doctors recommend that donors should avoid eating too much protein, especially from protein powder or supplements. That’s because excess protein may make your kidney work harder.
15. How does a kidney paired donation, also called a kidney swap, work?

Sometimes a transplant candidate has someone who wants to donate a kidney to them, but tests reveal that the kidney would not be a good medical match. Kidney paired donation, or KPD, also called kidney exchange, gives that transplant candidate another option. In KPD, living donor kidneys are swapped so each recipient receives a compatible transplant. See kidney paired donation for more information.
16. Up until what point can I change my mind about becoming a living kidney donor?

Although it is not a good idea to donate if you don’t feel 100% confident about doing it, a donor may change their mind until the anesthesiologist renders them unconscious.
17. How big or noticeable of a scar will I have?

Most kidney donations are done laparoscopically with minimal noticeable scarring. In rare circumstances, a larger incision may be made if the surgeon deems it necessary for the safety of the donor.
18. Is there an age restriction for kidney donation?

Although age requirements vary at different centers, the minimum age at some centers is 18 years old. Some centers have no maximum age for kidney donation if the donor is deemed healthy and medically able to proceed.
19. Can I still have children after I donate?

Yes. Many women have children after kidney donation without any issues related to donation. As always, it is recommended that women who may plan to have children discuss this with their donor care team.
20. Can I receive compensation for donating a kidney?

Donors may not be compensated for donating a kidney. However, expenses associated with donation (travel, lodging, etc.) may be reimbursed by the National Kidney Registry, the National Living Donor Assistance Center, or American Living Organ Donor Fund. You may also be eligible for lost wage reimbursement through one of these organizations.

- Emily Cohen

I met Don in a widow/widowers group that Don started, it was really a lifesaver. I can't explain the incredible impact that this group and Don has made in my life. He just has to continue doing this.

If you donate, you also get...

Kidney Bragging Rights!

If you donate one of your kidneys, you have life-long bragging rights that you saved someone's life! You don't have to brag if you don't want to, but it would be great if you told other people and encouraged them to donate too!

In 2021, more than 18,300 donors brought

new life to recipients and their families.

18,300

Please consider becoming a living kidney donor for me.

my time is running out.

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