The process of kidney donation, from initial evaluation to surgery, is well-organized and streamlined. It involves several steps, including medical tests, psychological assessments, and consultations, designed to ensure the safety and suitability of the donor. The process is managed by experienced medical professionals who guide donors through every stage.
FAQ: Living Kidney Donation
Learn about living kidney donation through the National Kidney Registry.
Age can be a concern due to several factors, but if an individual is healthy, they can donate a kidney at almost any age. Transplant centers may have their own specific rules and guidelines related to donor age, but there is no maximum age limit to register to become a donor through the National Kidney Registry.
What if, after you donate a kidney, a friend or family member needs a kidney transplant but you can no longer donate a kidney to them because you have already donated? The Family Voucher Program solves this issue, letting you donate a kidney while also protecting your family members in the unlikely event one of them ever needs a kidney transplant.
If you are not a medical match for the person you want to donate a kidney to, you can donate through the Voucher Program to help them get a kidney. Even better, your donation will not only help your intended recipient get a kidney, it will help someone else facing kidney failure get a kidney as well, so you’ll be changing the lives of two people instead of just one.
If you donate through the National Kidney Registry’s remote donation network, you can complete the donation—from pre-donation testing through your donation surgery—at an NKR transplant center close to you. Your kidney is then shipped to the transplant center where the recipient is being transplanted, which could be in a different city or even across the country.
Living kidney donation is a major surgery, but advancements in medical technology have significantly reduced the associated risks, making it one of the safest types of surgery. Most donors experience a smooth recovery and can return to their normal activities within a few weeks. Hospitals have strict protocols and thorough screening processes to ensure donors are in good health before proceeding with the surgery.
The recovery time after living kidney donation surgery varies depending on several factors, including the type of surgery (laparoscopic vs traditional kidney removal) and the donor’s individual rate of recovery. Most kidney donors are hospitalized for just a few days post-surgery. Once discharged, the recovery process typically involves rest and limited physical activity for a few weeks, after which most people can resume their normal routines.
To ensure living donors do not have to suffer lost income as a result of their generous decision to donate a kidney, the National Kidney Registry’s Donor Shield program offers living donor financial assistance, including lost wage reimbursement up to a maximum of $2,000 per week for up to 12 weeks. Using Donor Shield for lost wage reimbursement means you do not have to use short-term disability or any of your vacation or sick time for your kidney donation—you can keep that time to use for your future personal needs.
Kidney donation should not cost the donor anything. The medical expenses associated with kidney donation are covered by the recipient’s insurance. Nonmedical costs incurred by the donor, such as lost wages, travel, and childcare, are covered by Donor Shield.
Studies have shown that kidney donation does not significantly affect a donor’s long-term health. Donors typically lead healthy lives and have life expectancies comparable to non-donors. The remaining kidney can usually perform all the necessary functions to keep donors healthy.
Many chronic health conditions do not automatically disqualify someone from being a donor. Each donor is assessed on a case-by-case basis, undergoing a thorough medical evaluation to determine whether donating a kidney is safe for them. Conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure may be managed effectively with proper treatment and lifestyle changes.
Women who donate a kidney can still get pregnant and have children after donating. Numerous studies have found no data to suggest kidney donation affects the ability to conceive. Most women who become pregnant after donating a kidney have normal pregnancies with minimal complications, though it is recommended that they wait at least six months after donation to allow the body time to recover from the surgery and to adjust to living with one kidney.