Living Donor Program

This is when a person who is alive gives part of their liver to someone who needs a liver transplant. When someone gets a new liver this way, it means they don’t have to wait for a deceased organ donor. It can help them get the help they need before they get too sick.

UC Davis Transplant Center offers this option to patients who need new livers and have found a matching living donor.

Only you can answer this question. The decision is completely up to you and always voluntary, meaning you can change your mind at any time. Donating is a serious decision, and it is your job to learn all the facts before you decide. We are here to help and support you through this process and will gladly answer all your questions.

First, all these things must be true:

• You are 18 to 60 years old.
• You are in good physical and mental health.
• You have a BMI of 35 or less.
• You have not previously donated part of your liver.
• You do not and will not engage in active ongoing alcohol, drug, or substance abuse.
  • You have no history of:
  • liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatitis
  • major diseases of the lungs, kidney, or heart
  • active, malignant cancer
  • HIV
• You are thinking of donating part of your liver to someone you know. This person is a patient at UC Davis who’s either on our liver transplant waitlist or currently being evaluated for liver transplant.

If you are interested in becoming a living donor, please fill out our online donor registration application. You must include the name of the UC Davis patient you want to donate to. You may also download a paper form by clicking HERE. 

We’ll review your application and decide if you’re a potential donor. We will contact you once a decision has been made. 

You can find additional information on this process in our Living Donor Informational Brochure. For additional questions please email us at hs-livertransplant@ucdavis.edu or call us at 916-734-2111.