If Someone in Another Country Wants to Donate a Kidney for Me, Are They Eligible for Donor Shield?
If you need a kidney transplant and have a friend or family member living in another country who is willing to donate, you may be wondering if international donation is possible, and whether your potential donor can receive financial assistance for donation-related expenses.
International donor candidates may be able to donate on your behalf through the National Kidney Registry (NKR) and receive reimbursement for donation-related travel expenses through International Donor Shield. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Register with a Participating Center
International Donor Shield is only available through transplant centers that belong to the Donor Care Network (DCN), an elite group of NKR Member Centers that have agreed to a stringent set of commitments to ensure the highest level of care for living donors, including offering International Donor Shield.
Once you are registered, the transplant center will invite your potential donor to begin the evaluation process and create a Donor Shield profile.
Step 2: Preliminary Tests in the Donor Candidate’s Home Country
Before traveling to the United States, the donor candidate will need to complete preliminary blood and urine testing in their home country. These results are reviewed by the transplant center to determine whether the donor is healthy enough to continue with a full evaluation.
The cost of these tests is not covered by International Donor Shield. Donor candidates are responsible for paying out of pocket or through their personal insurance, although some recipients may choose to reimburse these costs directly.
If the preliminary testing is favorable, the donor candidate will be invited to travel to the United States for a comprehensive in-person donor evaluation.
Step 3: Evaluation in the United States
International Donor Shield will reimburse up to $3,000 for approved travel-related expenses associated with the in-person evaluation, including flights, car rentals, hotel accommodations, and meals.
This reimbursement is available only to the donor candidate and is payable even if the donor does not proceed with donation.
Step 4: Donation in the United States
If the candidate is approved to donate, International Donor Shield offers a separate reimbursement of up to $6,000 for approved travel expenses related to surgery and recovery for the donor and an accompanying caregiver.
What If My Donor Needs a Visa?
Many international donor candidates will need a visa to travel to the United States. The center can provide a support letter to assist with the visa application process.
The donor candidate can then use this documentation when applying for a visa through a U.S. Embassy or consulate in their home country.
Learn More
If you have a potential donor living outside the United States, contact a participating Donor Care Network transplant center to learn more about the evaluation process and International Donor Shield. For the full list of requirements, covered expenses, and reimbursement guidelines, see the International Donor Shield Reimbursement Policy.
