Choosing to become a living kidney donor means offering someone else a second chance at life. Living kidney donation is the best option for someone facing a kidney transplant, providing a healthier organ, a shorter wait time and often better long-term outcomes compared to deceased donor transplants. Your decision reflects incredible generosity and courage, and it has the power to change a life forever.
Living Kidney Donor Evaluation
To make sure every donor is ready for their donation, both physically and emotionally, all living kidney donors go through an education and evaluation process. This helps you understand what to expect and make sure donation is the right choice for you. Your medical information will stay private, and your care team will be different from the recipient’s team.
A group of experts from different areas of health care will work together to take care of you during this process. This comprehensive care approach helps make sure you get the best care and support as you prepare to become a living kidney donor.
The living kidney donor evaluation consists of:
- Review of medical records, if applicable
- Education class
- Medical testing and diagnostic procedures, including:
- Lab work from blood, including testing for compatibility with the recipient
- Lab work from urine, including testing of kidney function
- CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis to look at the structure of the kidneys and other internal organs
- Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) checks for electrical problems in your heart
- Chest X-ray to look at the structures in and around your chest
- Appointments with the surgeon, nephrologist, social worker, psychologist, pharmacist, dietitian and Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA)
All living kidney donor candidates are also required to remain current with normal health maintenance screenings as indicated by the American Cancer Society.
What to Expect on Surgery Day
The living donor nephrectomy (removal of the kidney) is completed using a minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgical technique. On average, the surgery lasts three hours, and living donors are monitored in the recovery room for a few hours before being transferred to the transplant unit. Living kidney donors can expect to be hospitalized for one to two days after surgery.
Care After Your Donor Surgery
Follow-up visits, occurring approximately two weeks after donation, may be completed at Trager Transplant Center or in the donor’s local area. Most donors return to work after the initial follow-up visit; however, donors who are required to lift more than ten pounds will need to be off from work for six weeks after donation. Long-term, living donors can expect to have a normal life span and require no special diet or restrictions.
Transplant centers are required to submit data on the outcomes of living kidney donors for a minimum of two years following donation. If you have questions about what data is collected, please talk with your transplant team.
Resources for Living Kidney Recipients and Donors
Explore the resources below for both people who need a kidney and those who are thinking about donating one.
Recipient Resources
Other Resources
Becoming a Living Kidney Donor
Choosing to be a living donor is a profoundly generous and selfless act. You're giving someone the gift of more time, more memories and a brighter future.
If you are interested in donating a kidney, please complete this referral form.
Have questions? Call 502-587-4358.
