Living Donation

Living donation is a type of kidney transplant in which a healthy person donates one of their kidneys to a patient with kidney failure. The donor may be a family member, spouse, or friend. Receiving a kidney from a living donor can free patients from dialysis and help them live longer, healthier, and more active lives.

About half of the kidneys used for transplants come from deceased donors. However, there are not enough donated organs to meet the needs of everyone waiting for a transplant. Because of this shortage, living donation is an important option. There are several benefits to receiving a kidney from a living donor:

  • The transplant can often take place sooner, sometimes even before dialysis is needed.
  • Kidneys from living donors are usually healthier and function better.
  • A kidney from a living donor typically lasts about twice as long as one from a deceased donor. On average, living donor kidneys last about 20 years.
  • The surgery is safe for the donor.

    The process begins when a potential donor completes a health questionnaire. A living donor nurse coordinator reviews the information. If there are no immediate concerns, medical tests are done to determine whether the donor and recipient are compatible.

    If a donor is not compatible with the intended recipient, a paired exchange program may be an option. In this program, two incompatible donor-recipient pairs are matched so that each recipient receives a compatible kidney from the other pair’s donor. Our center offers this program to all incompatible pairs and participates in national paired donation programs, which increase the chances of finding a match.

    Once compatibility is confirmed, or if the pair chooses to participate in a paired exchange, the donor undergoes a thorough medical evaluation. If the results show no problems, the transplant surgery can be scheduled.

    There are several resources available for patients who want to learn more about living donation. The Donor-Seeker Program offers support in finding a living kidney donor. Patients may also work with a Donor Navigator, who helps guide and support them in the process.

    Anyone interested in becoming a living donor can call (916) 734-2307 or (800) 821-9912 to speak with a member of the living donor team.

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