Living Donor Kidney Transplant
Living kidney donation is when a living person donates their kidney to someone in need of a kidney transplant.
Advantages of living donor kidney transplantation
Living donor transplants provide many advantages over deceased donor transplantation. While both living and deceased donor transplants are good options, transplant candidates may wait many years for a deceased donor kidney. Living donor transplants are the fastest and best way to receive a kidney transplant. Medical City Transplant Institute is a regional leader in live donor transplantation.
- Kidneys from living donors are the best option; they are the best quality and usually begin working immediately
- In most cases, kidneys from living donors function longer than those from deceased donors
- Live donor surgeries are scheduled, which gives the donor and recipient time to prepare
- Kidneys from live donors can decrease the risk of organ rejection and have better success rates
Find more information related to living donation and the requirements for donors in our frequently asked questions section.
Stories
Mike and John
A lifelong friendship turned into a lifesaving gift when John donated his kidney to his best friend, Mike, during Donate Life Month.
Rick and Sean
Nearly 50 years after his first kidney transplant, Rick received a second chance at life when his nephew Sean traveled from New York to donate a kidney, proving that lifesaving gifts often begin with family.
Angelina and Jereme
A high school friendship turned into a life-saving gift when Angelina traveled from Florida to donate a kidney to her longtime friend, Jereme, giving him a second chance at life.
Rikki and Miranda
A Facebook prayer request led to a life-saving kidney donation, forever connecting Rikki and Miranda as family.
How To Get Started
We now provide a quick online health questionnaire that lets our team know more about you and your interest to become a living donor.
Become a Living Donor
To get started, fill out the application below, or call our living donor team at (972) 566-7801.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Does a living kidney donor have to be related?
No, the living donor does not have to be related to the intended recipient. Only 50% of living donor surgeries that take place involve a related donor. A kidney transplant between a non-related donor and recipient can be just as successful as related donor and recipient.
Q: How long does the living donor evaluation take?
The evaluation starts by the donor completing basic blood work and urine tests at their convenience. Once this is completed, our clinic evaluation typically takes only one day. If additional testing is required, this may prolong the evaluation process.
Q: Will I be the only one contacted with my results?
Yes, everything regarding the living donor evaluation, including the compatibility results, is considered confidential and will only be shared with the donor.
Q: Are there any health risks to donating one of my kidneys?
The health risks associated with donating a kidney are very low. Consider these facts:
- On average, people who donate a kidney live just as long as people with two kidneys.
- Most donors fully recover from surgery in just a few weeks.
- If you are in good health before surgery, removal of a kidney should not affect your health. In one study, 93% of donors did not think giving up a kidney had changed their health.
- Kidney donors do not have an increased risk of developing kidney disease, high blood pressure, or other health problems later in life as compared to non-donors.
Q: What if I am not a match for the intended recipient?
Kidney paired donation is an option for incompatible donor-recipient pairs. If the donor is found to be incompatible (not a match) with the intended recipient, the incompatible pair can be matched with another incompatible donor-recipient pair and the donated kidneys are exchanged between the pairs.
Q: What are the requirements for becoming a living donor?
Living donors must be 18 years of age or older, in good mental and physical health, and be willing to give the gift of life. Living Kidney Donor Application.
Q: Can my donor live out-of-state?
Yes, donors can live out-of-state. Although initial testing can be completed at a lab convenient to the donor, he/she will be responsible for coming to Dallas for evaluation, pre-op clearance, and the surgery itself. There are assistance programs that may help donors with travel expenses, etc.
Q: Who pays for the living donor evaluations/surgery?
The recipient’s insurance will pay for the living donor’s surgery.
Q: How long will it take for the transplant to be scheduled at Medical City Dallas?
Once both the donor and recipient are approved for transplant, which varies for each individual, the surgery date is based on the request of the donor/recipient and the availability of our surgeons.
Q: How long will I be in the hospital after donation?
Living donors typically stay in the hospital 1-2 days, depending on their recovery.
Q: After the surgery, how long will it be until I can return to work?
Living donors typically return to work in 2-4 weeks, depending on the type of work. If a living donor’s job entails heavy lifting or other strenuous activity, it may be six weeks or longer before a donor can return to work.
Q: Will young female donors be able to have children in the future?
Yes, females of child-bearing age can have children following kidney donation, but must notify their physicians of the history of kidney donation. Your obstetrician will follow living donors closely through the pregnancy and ensure blood pressure is appropriate.
We do advise women to wait six months to a year after donating an organ before becoming pregnant.
Q: How will kidney donation affect me? Will it increase my risk of future health problems?
We do not allow people to donate their kidneys if we think their future health will be at risk, even if the recipient is someone they really love. People only need one healthy kidney to survive. After donating a kidney, the remaining kidney will grow and maintain daily function of two kidneys. Your life expectancy does not change and kidney donation does not increase the chance of getting kidney disease.
Q: What about follow-up after donation?
We keep a close eye on donors for at least two years after donation. We encourage donors to see their primary care doctor yearly to ensure they stay healthy.