Donating a kidney to a loved one who has
kidney failure can be a very positive experience for the donor. A Florida
business executive donated a kidney to his identical twin, a surfing champ whose
kidney failure came as a real shock to his family. This man reported that
donating a kidney to his brother was "an absolutely wonderful
feeling." A California newlywed donated a kidney to her new husband who
lost his first kidney transplant, which he had received from his brother 13
years earlier when his own kidneys failed. This young woman described her
donation as "a very special bond we'll share for the rest of our
lives." These are just a couple of examples; many other stories can be told
about the heroic people who gave a loved one the greatest gift possible--the
gift of life.
What is living donation?
Living donation takes place when a living person donates an
organ or part of an organ to be transplanted into a loved one in need. The
living donor is most often a close family member, such as a parent, child,
brother or sister. A living donor can also be a more distant family member,
spouse or friend.
What organs can come from living donors?
The organ most commonly given by a living donor is the
kidney. People usually have two kidneys, and one is all that is needed to live a
normal life. Parts of other organs including the lung, liver and pancreas have
also been transplanted from living donors.
What are the advantages of living donation?
Living kidney transplantation has a number of advantages
compared with kidney transplantation from a person who has died (cadaver donor).
First, since the living kidney donor is usually a close relative of the person
getting the transplant, there is a better match and less chance of rejection.
Second, the transplant can be scheduled ahead of time, something that cannot be
done when the patient is on a waiting list for a cadaveric kidney. Third,
kidneys that come from living donors begin to function immediately after the
transplant. while cadaveric kidneys may take several days or weeks before they
begin to function normally.
What determines who can become a living donor?
Acceptible living donors are usually between 18 and 60
years of age and are often close relatives of the intended recipient. The
prospective donor must have a compatible blood and tissue type as determined by
tests of the donor and recipient. The donor is carefully evaluated by physical
examination, tests to assure normal kidney fundtion and studies to show the
presence of two normal kidneys. Absence of hereditary diseases affecting close
family donors should also be addressed. Psychological evaluation may also be
recommended. The decision about whether to accept the donor is then made by the
health care team at the transplant center.
Can someone who is not a close relative be a living donor?
Some transplant centers are undertaking transplantation
from living unrelated donors. A living unrelated donor is someone who has
emotional ties to the recipient, such as a close friend. Living unrelated kidney
transplantation has been quite successful in most cases.
How does living donation affect the donor?
Studies have shown that one kidney is enough to keep the
body healthy by removing wastes and excess fluid from the blood. Living donation
does not change life expectancy, and after recovery from the surgery, living
donors can continue to lead normal lives. The usual recovery time after the
surgery is short, and donors can generally resume their normal home and working
lives within 2 to 6 weeks.
Suppose someone decides against being a living donor?
A decision to become a living donor should be voluntary and
free from internal or family pressures. Individuals have the right, after
discussing and considering the facts, to decide that kidney donation is not for
them. Likewise, individuals who have kidney failure have the right to decide
that they do not want a transplant. The patient must live with the disease, and
he or she alone has the right to decide what is to be done. That decision, as
well as the donor's, must be respected.
What does the operation involve?
Once all the tests are completed, the donor and transplant
operations are scheduled. For surgery, the donor and recipient are usually in
adjacent operating rooms. The kidney is removed in a careful way and
transplanted into the recipient. The hospital stay for the donor is usually
about a week after the operation. The donor may visit the doctor's office or
clinic to make sure the wound is healing well and that recovery is proceeding as
expected. In general, no further treatments or office visits are needed.
How much does living donation cost? Who pays?
The costs of the donation, which include laboratory, x-ray
and doctors' and hospital charges, are paid by Medicare or the recipient's
insurance. There is no cost to the donor. However, the donor usually is not paid
for time off from work. Some employers may allow this time to be taken as sick
leave.
Are transplants from living donors always successful?
It is important to realize that, although living related
kidney transplants are highly successful, problems may occur. Sometimes, the
kidney is lost to rejection, or the original disease that caused kidney failure
may come back in the transplant, causing it to fail.
What if I have more questions?
If you have additional questions, you should speak to a
transplant physician or to the transplant coordinator at your nearest transplant
center. You can also get more information by contacting your local National
Kidney Foundation office.
What is the National Kidney Foundation and how does it help?
More than 20 million Americans have some form of kidney or urologic disease. Millions more are at risk. The National Kidney Foundation, Inc., a major voluntary health organization, is working to find the answers through prevention, treatment and cure. Through its 52 Affiliates nationwide, the Foundation conducts programs in research, professional education, patient and community services, public education and organ donation. The work of the National Kidney Foundation is funded entirely by public donations.