where to donate a kidney in pennsylvania

by Izabella Bartoletti 3 min read

The Penn Transplant Institute has one of the largest and most experienced living donor transplant programs in the country. In addition to live donor transplant, Penn also offers a paired kidney exchange program. This program is an option for kidney recipient and donor pairs who are not blood and/or tissue-type compatible.

Living kidney donation is when a healthy living person decides to donate a kidney to someone who has kidney failure. Living donation can be considered for a family member, friend, co-worker, or even a complete stranger.

Full Answer

Does Penn offer live donor transplants?

The Penn Transplant Institute has one of the largest and most experienced living donor transplant programs in the country. In addition to live donor transplant, Penn also offers a paired kidney exchange program.

How many people are waiting for a kidney transplant in Philadelphia?

Every dollar raised by The Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania (KFCP) stays here in our 28-county region, helping thousands of people and their families impacted by kidney disease. Your 100% tax-deductible donation will make a profound difference in the lives of people who struggle to make ends meet as a result of being sidelined by renal failure.

Why choose a live donor kidney transplant?

The first step is for the potential donor to complete and return the Kidney Living Donor Referral form to the living donor kidney team or contact the Penn Living Donor Transplant Team at 215-662-6200. A phone interview to discuss the process and answer questions the donor may have.

image

Do you have to pay to be an organ donor in PA?

There is no fee to place the organ donor designation on your driver's license or photo ID. SIGN UP NOW! Visit the Donate Life PA websiteOpens In A New Window and become an organ donor today!

What are the requirements for donating a kidney?

Donor has compatible blood and cross match with recipient. 2. Donor is healthy, with no unacceptable medical or surgical risk after donor nephrectomy. 3.

Who can and Cannot donate a kidney?

As a general rule, you should be 18 years or older. You must also have normal kidney function. 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.

Can you directly donate a kidney?

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.Dec 7, 2020

Why you should not donate 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.

Who is the best match for a kidney transplant?

The best match for the recipient is to have 12 out of s12antigen match. (This is known as a zero mismatch.) It is possible for all 12 markers to match, even with an unrelated deceased donor organ, if the patient has a very common HLA type.

What is the best age to donate a kidney?

18 years or olderTo donate a kidney, you must be in good physical and mental health.As a general rule, you should be 18 years or older.

What disqualifies you from getting a kidney transplant?

Among those disqualified were those who were obese, those who were excessive drinkers (more than four drinks a day), and those with diabetes, skin cancer, high blood pressure, HIV, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure.Nov 14, 2014

What BMI do I need to donate a kidney?

We, like most transplant centers, require weight loss in potential living donors in order to achieve a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m 2.

What are side effects of donating a kidney?

Risks and Benefits of Living Kidney DonationPain.Infection (such as pneumonia or wound infection)Blood clot.Reaction to anesthesia.Death (Worldwide mortality rate for living kidney donors is 0.03% to 0.06%)Conversion to open nephrectomy.Need for re-operation (such as for bleeding)Re-admission to hospital.More items...

Can a female donate kidney to male?

Conclusions. Our results suggested gender matching for kidney transplant. Only in some exceptional conditions, male donor to female recipient kidney transplant may be successful and female donors to male recipients are not suggested, especially in aged patients with the history of dialysis.Jan 6, 2020

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.

DONATE TO KFCP

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE to KFCP's Vehicle Donation Program. It's been instrumental in the care and treatment of kidney patients in Central Pennsylvania. Learn more about how your car can make a big difference.

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE

MAKE A TRIBUTE GIFT in honor or memory of someone that is/was impacted by kidney disease. A special message will be sent to notify the families that gifts have been made in tribute, unless you choose to give anonymously.

MAKE A TRIBUTE GIFT

HOW YOUR MEMORIAL GIFT HELPS Our online Memorial Gift Brochure explains how your gift in memory of a loved one can help others who are impacted by chronic kidney disease.

Why do people donate kidneys?

The most common reason for donating a kidney is a strong emotional tie with the recipient. If you are considering donating a kidney, it is important that you fully understand the scope of the decision and that the choice is compatible with your value system.

What is the importance of understanding the kidney donation process?

Understanding all aspects of the donation process, including the risks and benefits, is imperative in order to make an informed decision. If you are considering becoming a kidney donor, it is important to remember that you have the right to delay or stop the process at any time.

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

Free from serious medical problems such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, and serious mental illness. Be over 21 years of age.

Sign Me Up!

Join your colleagues who already get great content delivered right to their inbox.

Sign up Digital!

If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free!

Subscribe to Print!

Pumper Eddie Schlosser demonstrates commitment in every facet of his life, regardless of the hand he has been dealt.

Getting Started With a Living Kidney Donation

To be considered for a living kidney donation, please fill out the form below. Once the form is submitted, our team will carefully evaluate the information to determine whether or not the person is a candidate. We will contact potential donors with results within seven days after the completed form is received.

Transplant and the COVID-19 Vaccine

Transplant patients may be at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, and we have seen worse outcomes if they do get it. Due to the increased risk, we recommend transplant patients get the vaccine.

How long does it take to get a kidney transplant from a deceased donor?

On rare occasions, a person will receive a preemptive transplant from a deceased donor. The wait time for a deceased donor in the United States is three- to 15 years, depending on your location, blood type and presence of antibodies. In 2019, out of every 98,000 people waiting for a kidney, 23,000 had received transplants, ...

What is a preemptive transplant?

A preemptive transplant is a beneficial possibility, but it involves working closely with your transplant team, and a living donor, to make it happen.

Can you get a transplant before dialysis?

Your healthcare professional can refer you to a transplant center for tests, or you can contact a local transplant center directly. Getting waitlisted and approved for a transplant can happen before you start dialysis. This is known as a preemptive transplant.

KIDNEY CAR DONATION

One car can make all the difference! Consider donating your vehicle to KFCP.

The Benefits of Vehicle Donation

All types of vehicles can be accepted. Donate automobiles, trucks, sport utility vehicles, motor homes, boats, airplanes and farm equipment

Who Can Donate Blood

There are requirements that donors must meet to donate blood. Most people can donate blood every 56 days, up to six times a year, if they meet the following criteria:

Where to Donate Blood

There are five major blood donation centers in Pennsylvania. You can reach out to the location closest to you and make an appointment to donate, or find a blood drive near you:

Additional Information

If you're a first-time donor, or even if you donate regularly, you may have questions about donating blood. View the resources below for more information on blood donation:

image