Give the Gift of Life Through Kidney Donation

Kidney donation can give someone with kidney failure a second chance at life. Learn how kidney donation works, who can donate, and how you can support patients waiting for a life-changing transplant.

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Kidney donation and organ transplant
KIDNEY DONATION

Give the Gift of Life Through Living Kidney Donation

Living kidney donation allows a healthy person to donate one kidney to someone who needs a transplant. Because a person can live a healthy and active life with one functioning kidney, living donation can offer a life-changing opportunity to a suitable recipient.

  • Learn how living kidney donation works
  • Understand donor eligibility and medical requirements
  • Complete blood, urine, kidney and health assessments
  • Understand compatibility and kidney matching
  • Learn about surgery, recovery and aftercare
  • Understand the possible risks and benefits
  • Get independent advice from a transplant team
Contact Transplant Team
Kidney transplant surgery and living kidney donation
Living kidney donation information
BECOME A KIDNEY DONOR

Who Can Become a Living Kidney Donor?

People who are interested in living kidney donation must undergo a detailed assessment by a transplant team. The purpose of the assessment is to protect the donor's health and make sure donation is medically appropriate.

Potential donors may have blood tests, urine tests, blood pressure checks, kidney-function tests, scans and other medical assessments. A psychological assessment may also be part of the process.

  • Good overall physical health
  • Healthy kidney function
  • Understanding of the donation process
  • Ability to make an informed and voluntary decision
  • Completion of the transplant centre's medical assessment
Learn About Donor Assessment
KIDNEY DONATION GUIDE

Everything You Need to Know Before Donation

Choosing to become a living kidney donor is a major personal decision. Understanding the evaluation, surgery, recovery, possible risks and long-term follow-up can help you make an informed decision with your transplant team.

Living Kidney Donation

A living donor may donate one kidney to a suitable recipient after completing the required medical evaluation.

Donor Eligibility

Each potential donor is assessed individually to determine whether donation can be performed safely.

Medical Assessment

Testing can include blood and urine tests, blood pressure checks, kidney-function tests and scans.

Matching & Compatibility

Medical teams assess compatibility between donors and recipients. If a direct match is not possible, paired donation may be an option.

Kidney Donation Surgery

Kidney removal is performed by a specialist surgical team. Many living donor operations use minimally invasive or keyhole techniques.

Recovery & Aftercare

Donors need time to recover after surgery and receive follow-up care to monitor their health and kidney function.

Understanding the Risks

As with any major operation, kidney donation has potential risks. These should be discussed carefully with your transplant team.

Life After Donation

Most suitable donors can live healthy and active lives with one kidney, with appropriate long-term medical follow-up.

Emotional Support

Donation can be an emotional experience. Donors may receive psychological support and counselling during the evaluation and recovery process.

Kidney Paired Donation

If a donor and intended recipient are not compatible, a paired donation programme may provide another transplant option.

Speak With a Specialist

A qualified living donor coordinator or transplant specialist can answer questions about your individual situation.

A Life-Changing Gift

Living donation may reduce a recipient's waiting time and can help some patients avoid or reduce their need for dialysis.

THE DONATION JOURNEY

How Living Kidney Donation Works

The process is carefully designed to protect the health and wellbeing of the potential donor while determining whether donation is suitable.

01. Register Interest

Contact a transplant centre or living donor coordinator to discuss your interest in donation.

02. Medical Assessment

Complete the medical tests and assessments required by the transplant team.

03. Donation Surgery

If approved, the kidney donation procedure is performed by an experienced transplant surgical team.

04. Recovery & Follow-Up

After surgery, donors receive recovery guidance and ongoing medical follow-up.

KIDNEY DONATION FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Considering kidney donation? Find answers to common questions about living donation, donor assessment, surgery, recovery, compatibility and life after donation.

Living kidney donation is when a healthy person donates one of their kidneys to someone who needs a kidney transplant. A person can generally live with one healthy kidney, but every potential donor must undergo a detailed medical assessment before donation can be considered.

Not everyone who wants to donate will be medically suitable. Potential donors are assessed individually. Factors such as overall health, kidney function, medical history, blood pressure and other health conditions may be considered by the transplant team.

Potentially. Living kidney donation may be possible between relatives, partners, friends or other suitable donors. The donor and recipient must undergo the appropriate medical and compatibility assessments.

In some donation systems, non-directed living donation may be possible. The rules and requirements vary by country and transplant programme. Speak with an authorized transplant centre to understand the options available to you.

The evaluation can include blood tests, urine tests, blood pressure measurements, kidney-function tests, imaging scans and other medical assessments. Potential donors may also receive psychological or social evaluation as part of the donation process.

If a donor is not directly compatible with the intended recipient, the transplant team may discuss other options. Depending on the country and programme, kidney paired donation may be one possible option.

Kidney removal from a living donor is performed by a specialist surgical team. Many transplant centres use minimally invasive or keyhole surgical techniques, although the exact procedure depends on the donor and the transplant centre.

Recovery varies from person to person and depends on the surgical approach, general health and individual circumstances. Your transplant team will provide personalized instructions about returning to normal activities, work and exercise.

Many people live healthy and active lives with one functioning kidney. However, living donation is a major medical decision and requires appropriate medical assessment and long-term follow-up.

Kidney donation is major surgery and, like other operations, carries potential risks. These can include surgical complications, infection, pain and other medical risks. Your transplant team should explain the risks and benefits based on your individual health.

Yes. Follow-up care is an important part of living kidney donation. Your transplant team will provide guidance about monitoring your health and kidney function after donation.

A potential donor should only proceed voluntarily and after receiving appropriate information and support. If you have concerns or no longer wish to donate, speak privately with your donor coordinator or transplant team.

No. Donor eligibility must be determined by an appropriately qualified transplant medical team. Donate With Us provides information and helps people understand the donation journey, but medical decisions must be made by qualified healthcare professionals.

Start by speaking with an authorized transplant centre or living donor coordinator. They can explain the process, eligibility requirements, medical assessment and next steps for your situation.

Still Have Questions?

Every donor's circumstances are different. Speak with a qualified transplant professional for advice about your individual situation.

Contact the Transplant Team
DONATE WITH US

Give the Gift of Life Through Kidney Donation

Considering becoming a living kidney donor? Your decision may give someone with kidney failure the opportunity to receive a life-changing transplant. Learn about the donation process, donor assessment, eligibility, surgery, recovery and ongoing follow-up care.

Every potential donor receives an individual medical assessment. Speak with a qualified transplant team to understand whether kidney donation may be suitable for you.

Donate With Us
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