When Should I Start Looking for a Kidney Donor?
If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), you may be wondering when to start looking for a living kidney donor. The short answer: sooner than you think.
You don’t need to wait until your kidneys fail or until you’re on dialysis to start looking for a donor. In fact, starting early gives you more time, more options, and a better chance of finding the right match.
Why Start Early?
Kidney disease usually progresses slowly. Some people may never reach the point of needing a transplant, but for many, a transplant becomes necessary when kidney function falls below 15% (Stage 5). Waiting until then to look for a donor can cause delays that affect your health and quality of life.
Living donor testing and approval take time. Not everyone who wants to donate will be medically approved. If your first donor isn’t eligible, you’ll need time to find others and allow them to go through the evaluation process. Starting early means you’re not racing against the clock when your health is already at risk.
The Voucher Program: Plan Now, Transplant Later
One of the best ways to prepare in advance is through the National Kidney Registry’s Voucher Program. Here’s how it works:
- A healthy person donates a kidney on your behalf now.
- Their kidney goes to someone currently in need.
- You receive a voucher that you can redeem for a living donor transplant when you need one—whether that’s in a few months or a few years.
It’s like banking a kidney for the future. The voucher never expires and gives you priority access to the NKR’s donor pool when you’re ready for a transplant.
Even if you never need the voucher, someone still receives a transplant with your donor’s kidney. That’s the beauty of the voucher system—every donation helps someone.
More than 100 transplant centers participate in the Voucher Program. To find one near you, visit www.kidneytransplantcenters.com. If your current center doesn’t support early voucher donations, you can switch to one that does. For more information, see our blog post How Do I Switch to an NKR Center for a Living Donor Transplant? and talk to your transplant team to learn your options.
Take the First Step Today
The best time to look for a kidney donor is before you need one. If there’s a chance you may need a kidney transplant at some point, do your future self a favor and take action now. Start the conversation with your doctor, talk to your family and friends, and learn more about living donation and the Voucher Program. Being proactive today could save your life tomorrow.