how to donate your kidney

You can donate a kidney to a family member or friend who needs one. You can also give it to someone you don't know. Doctors call this a “nondirected” donation, in which case you might decide to meet the person you donate to, or choose to stay anonymous.

Full Answer

What are the pros and cons of donating a kidney?

Find a Transplant Center. You can also contact a transplant center in your area to ask about being a living donor. To find a list of all transplant centers in the U.S., visit the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) website. Then follow these steps: Select "Transplant Centers by Organ" under Member . Type.

What are the steps to donating a kidney?

Living donor surgery. Blood tests. Urine tests. Pap smear/ gynecological exam. Colonoscopy (if over age 50) Screening tests for cancer. Antibody test. X-ray. Electrocardiogram (EKG) which looks at your heart. Other image testing like a CT scan.

What are the risks of donating a kidney?

Be an Organ Donor. Deceased Donation. Identifying yourself as an organ and/or tissue donor is simple. Simply visit the Donate Life America website to join your state's ... Living Donation. Religion and Organ Donation.

What are the criteria for donating a kidney?

Nov 01, 2021 · Though not always, people in your family often are good matches for a kidney donation. Practice sharing your story. Kidney disease is not a condition you can see. Many people in your life may not even know you have kidney disease and need a new kidney. It may be hard to talk about, but needing a new kidney to live is nothing to be ashamed of.

Do kidney donors get money?

A living donor cannot be paid for the donated organ because it is illegal under the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984. However, living donors may receive reimbursement for certain expenses related to the donation process.

How serious is donating a kidney?

Kidney donation involves major surgery and there are risks, including bleeding and infection. But the overwhelming majority of kidney donors recover with minimal complications. After your kidney is removed (nephrectomy), you'll usually stay only overnight in the hospital and complete your recovery at home.

Does donating a kidney shorten your life?

Donating a kidney does not affect a person's life expectancy. On the contrary, studies show that people who donate a kidney outlive the average population. Twenty years after donating, 85 percent of kidney donors were still alive, while the expected survival rate was 66 percent.

How painful is donating a kidney?

How much will it hurt? Everyone is different, but you could be in a lot of pain after the surgery. But it will get easier each day, and there are different types of pain relievers to make you feel better. Shortly after surgery, as your anesthesia wears off, you'll get pain medication through an IV into a vein.Nov 19, 2020

Can I drink alcohol with one kidney?

Alcohol affects all of your body's organs. However, the effects of alcohol on one kidney lead to multiple issues. Although drinking one to two drinks a day typically won't be an issue, if you have one kidney, it will. When you drink, you will generally urinate more.Oct 16, 2020

What can't you do with 1 kidney?

This recommendation applies to anyone with a single kidney, including people who were born with one kidney and people with a kidney transplant. Some doctors think it is best to avoid contact sports like football, boxing, hockey, soccer, martial arts, or wrestling.

What are the disadvantages of donating a kidney?

Medical possible long-term cons People can get certain health problems after donating: About 18% of donors (about 1 in 5) get high blood pressure. About 5% (1 in 20) get chronic kidney disease. 4% (less than 1 in 20) get diabetes within 5 years of donating.

Why you should not donate a kidney?

There are some medical conditions that could prevent you from being a living donor. These include having uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, or acute infections. Having a serious mental health condition that requires treatment may also prevent you from being a donor.

How to remove kidneys?

There are two different surgeries your doctor may perform to remove your kidney: an open incision removal and a laparoscopic procedure. The laparoscopic procedure is much less invasive, which means there are fewer risks involved and the recovery time is shorter.

Why is it important to have regular checkups?

The purpose of this is to make sure you are healing properly, so be sure to go to all scheduled appointments. It is also important to continue getting regular medical checkups throughout your life. Your doctor may want to monitor your kidney function to make sure your remaining kidney is functioning properly.

Can you have only one kidney?

While your body is perfectly capable of functioning normally with only one kidney, you will be at a disadvantage should your remaining kidney fail. If you end up needing a kidney transplant, you will be given preference as a prior donor.

Does insurance cover kidney transplant?

Most of the time, your medical expenses will be covered by either the recipient’s insurance or by the transplant center if you choose to donate a kidney. Make sure to find out if you will be responsible for any costs. Also, keep in mind that the surgery may have many hidden costs that are not covered.

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Can you donate a kidney to a stranger?

You also have the option of donating to a stranger or participating in a paired exchange donation, which means you will donate your kidney to a stranger on the condition that a compatible stranger also donates a kidney to your loved one.

What is a living kidney donor?

Living donation takes place when a living person donates an organ or part of an organ to someone in need of a transplant. The donor is most often a close family member, such as a parent, child, brother or sister.

How many people die waiting for a kidney transplant?

Every day 12 people die waiting for a kidney. Organ and tissue donation helps others by giving them a second chance at life.

Who Can I Give My Kidney To?

You can donate a kidney to a family member or friend who needs one. You can also give it to someone you don't know. Doctors call this a “nondirected” donation, in which case you might decide to meet the person you donate to, or choose to stay anonymous. Either way, doctors will give your kidney to the person who needs it most and is the best match.

Am I Healthy Enough to Donate a Kidney?

Your doctor will do some tests to find out for sure. They’ll check your blood and urine, and may also do an ultrasound or take X-rays of your kidneys. You may not be able to donate if you have medical issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.

What Happens After Surgery?

Your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage your pain. They’ll also want you to get up and start moving around shortly afterward.

How Can I Donate?

If you want to give your kidney to a friend or family member, talk to the doctor at the transplant center. You'll start taking tests to see if you're a match.

Prepare Your Body

Kidney donation is a major procedure. Take these steps to make sure your body is healthy enough for surgery:

Prepare Your Mind

It's normal to feel a little nervous about your surgery. One way to calm your nerves is to visit a local transplant support group in your area. Talk to people who've been through the process, so you'll know what to expect.

What to Pack

You'll need a few things for your hospital stay. In case you get called in for your surgery sooner than expected, have these items packed up and ready to go:

How to Prepare Your Home

You’ll probably be tired and in some pain after your surgery. You also won't be able to drive for about 2 weeks. Ask a family member or friend ahead of time to shop, cook meals, care for your kids, and run errands for you while you get better.

How to Talk to Friends and Family

They might have concerns about you donating a kidney. Learn all you can about the procedure and its risks so you know how to respond. Be open and honest. If they still don't get it, bring them with you to a doctor's visit. Or refer them to a counselor who can explain the process.