what do you get if you donate a kidney

What are the long term effects of donating a kidney?

A kidney donor will be given prescriptions for pain medication and stool softeners at discharge from the hospital. These are only for the immediate post-operative period, after that time, a donor does not have to take medication. A kidney donor will never have to …

What are the pros and cons of donating a kidney?

There is no doubt that being a living donor is a huge benefit to the recipient (the person who gets your kidney). Recipients of a living donor kidney usually live longer, healthier lives compared to those who receive a deceased donor kidney (a kidney from someone who has just died).

How much do you get for donating a kidney?

National Kidney Registry. We are the largest paired exchange program in the world and provide unequaled Donor Shield® protections for our donors including reimbursement for lost wages, travel & lodging. Our Family Voucher Program also protects donors’ families in the event a family member ever needs a transplant.

What makes a person decide to donate a kidney?

May 05, 2020 · And you'll be carefully checked to make sure you don't have any health problems that might be made worse by 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 …

Who pays if you donate a kidney?

Who pays for living donation? Generally, the recipient's Medicare or private health insurance will pay for the following for the donor (if the donation is to a family member or friend).

Do kidney donors get money?

After the organ broker—the guy who sets up your kidney-for-cash transaction—takes his cut, he needs to pay for travel, the surgeon, medical supplies and a few “look-the-other-way” payoffs. Most people get $1,000 to $10,000 for their kidney (probably much less than you were hoping for).Aug 29, 2013

Is it worth donating a kidney?

Donors reported their quality of life was “excellent.” Kidney donors tend to be healthier than the average person, able to tolerate surgery well and return to a healthy lifestyle. Potential donors are screened for high blood pressure and diabetes, two of the main causes of kidney disease.

Is donating a kidney a big deal?

In general, kidney donation has minimal long-term risks, especially when compared with the health risks in the general population. However, kidney donation may very slightly increase your risk of eventually developing kidney failure yourself, particularly if you're a middle-aged black man.

Is paying for a kidney illegal?

Paying people to donate organs is illegal in the United States and virtually every other nation. Drawing on data from a randomized survey of about 3,000 Americans, Macis and his colleagues set out to determine to what extent the American public would support or oppose compensating kidney donors.Jul 11, 2019

Is donating a kidney painful?

After leaving the hospital, the donor will typically feel tenderness, itching and some pain as the incision continues to heal. Generally, heavy lifting is not recommended for about six weeks following surgery. It is also recommended that donors avoid contact sports where the remaining kidney could be injured.

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

Does giving a kidney shorten your life?

No Life Expectancy Changes 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.

Can you live with 1 kidney?

There may also be a chance of having high blood pressure later in life. However, the loss in kidney function is usually very mild, and life span is normal. Most people with one kidney live healthy, normal lives with few problems. In other words, one healthy kidney can work as well as two.

What happens if I donate one kidney?

After one kidney is removed for donation, the remaining kidney undergoes a process known as “Compensatory Hypertrophy” i.e. it increases in size and takes over the function of the other kidney as well. The donor leads a normal life after donation.

Are kidney donors able to live normal, healthy lives after donation?

Donors can live a normal life after donation. We fully evaluate everybody prior to allowing them to donate and if we do determine that there are co...

Does donating a kidney shorten your lifespan?

Donors actually tend to live a longer life because they tend to take much better care of themselves post-donation and hence have a better quality o...

Are kidney donors more likely to get kidney disease?

A huge component of the donor evaluation is assessing the kidney function of the potential donor. If it’s determined that that donor has any type o...

Do you have to be young to donate a kidney?

People into their 70s can donate a kidney—it is all about the health of the potential living donor. The oldest donor that I helped get through the...

Does a kidney donor have to take medications for the rest of their life?

A kidney donor will be given prescriptions for pain medication and stool softeners at discharge from the hospital. These are only for the immediate...

Will a kidney donor experience debilitating pain for an extended period of time?

A kidney donor will have some pain after surgery from both the incisions and related to gas and bloating. This pain will diminish in the days follo...

Will a kidney donor will be on bed rest following surgery?

A kidney donor will be out of bed and walking independently before discharge from the hospital.

Will a kidney donor have to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time after surgery?

A kidney donor will be hospitalized for two nights (i.e., if surgery is on a Tuesday, the donor will typically be discharged on Thursday).

Will a kidney donor still be able to exercise and participate in sports?

A kidney donor should be able to return to regular activities and exercise at approximately four to six weeks following surgery.

Do kidney donors have to follow a special diet following donation?

A kidney donor should eat a healthy, well balanced diet. There are no dietary restrictions following donation.

Being a living kidney donor

If you have two healthy kidneys, you may be able to donate one of your kidneys to enhance or save someone else's life. Both you and the recipient of your kidney (the person who got your kidney) can live with just one healthy kidney.

Benefits and risks of living kidney donation

There is no doubt that being a living donor is a huge benefit to the recipient (the person who gets your kidney). Recipients of a living donor kidney usually live longer, healthier lives compared to those who receive a deceased donor kidney (a kidney from someone who has just died).

Living donor surgery

If you want to be a living donor, you will need to have a medical exam with blood tests to be sure you are healthy enough to donate a kidney. Some of the tests needed may include:

Fundraise for AKF

"I gave my brother my kidney and fundraised for AKF so others could get theirs." -Jeremy Smith, kidney donor and KidneyNation fundraiser

How old do you have to be to be a living kidney donor?

If you’d like to be a living kidney donor, are healthy, and are between the ages of 18–69, contact a member of our living kidney donor team. Remember, living kidney donation saves lives.

How long after donating a kidney can you get pregnant?

Still, women should wait one year after donating a kidney before they get pregnant. This gives your body plenty of time to heal. 9. You can talk to someone who's donated before. Our living kidney donor program can help you speak with someone from our program who has donated a kidney.

What happens after donating blood?

After donating, your remaining kidney will take on the work of both kidneys. 5. Your blood and tissue type must be compatible with your recipient’s. Besides being healthy, living donors must have compatible blood and tissue types with the kidney recipient.

How long do you have to stay in the hospital after kidney transplant?

Your hospital stay will be short and you can get back to work fairly quickly. Most living kidney donors stay in the hospital for five to 10 days. Depending on what you do for work, you can return to work as soon as two weeks or as late as eight weeks after your surgery.

Who is Benjamin Benson?

Benjamin Benson was a teenager when he first thought about donating a kidney to someone in need. He hadn’t known anyone in his life with kidney problems, or in need of an organ transplant, but he knew that you only need one kidney to live. Shortly before his 24th birthday he started looking into how he could make kidney donation a reality.

Can you donate kidneys to someone?

3. You don’t have to be related to someone to donate a kidney to them. In fact, one in four living organ donors is not biologically related to the recipient (the person who receives a donated organ).

What tests are needed for a transplant?

Some tests you will have include: blood tests, urine tests, imaging exams, and. cancer screenings.

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.

What is creatinine clearance?

An increased secretion of protein would need to be evaluated before resuming the evaluation; the creatinine clearance is to determine adequate kidney function and to ensure that collection is an adequate one. Female donor candidates may undergo a gynecological exam and mammography.

What is a financial consultation?

A financial consultation will be used to determine financial and insurance coverage for the testing process and the donation itself. Generally, if the donation is to a family member or friend, the recipient's insurance will pay for testing and surgery expenses. However, the donor might be responsible for travel expenses ...

What is a medical history review?

A medical history review and physical examination. An extensive review of all systems, including previous illnesses and surgeries and past family medical history. Any abnormalities found are investigated further before invasive tests are performed. A financial consultation will be used to determine financial and insurance coverage for ...

What is an antigen?

An antigen is a genetic marker. Genetic markers are unique to your body. You may hear these called HLA, or human leukocyte antigens. The process of identifying these antigens is called tissue typing. The leukocytes, or white cells, in your blood carry these antigens and are used to identify them.

What is the purpose of an EKG?

Screen for the HIV virus. An EKG will be performed to assess heart function. A chest x-ray will be used to assess the lungs for the presence of any abnormalities. A psychological evaluation will be used to: Provide emotional support and information to the donor. Assess the donor's motivation.

What is a helical CT scan?

The helical CT scan is used to evaluate the internal structure of the kidney and look for the presence of cysts, tumors, etc. Some transplant centers will perform a renal arteriogram if there is a question of an abnormal finding on the Helical CT Scan.