You may have decided to donate your organs if you pass away, but have you considered donating one of your kidneys as a living donor? It’s an incredible way to give someone an opportunity for a longer, healthier life.
There are different reasons you might consider donating a kidney. You might want to help someone you care about or even give a gift to a stranger.
Venkatesh Ariyamuthu, MD, a kidney transplant expert with Banner - University Medicine, said, “Donors have this desire to help people. That could be a loved one, a friend or a family member and we have a fair share of people who donate to people they don’t even know. It can be the epitome of kindness and desire to help fellow humans.”
Many donors describe the experience as life-changing and feel fulfilled knowing they helped someone live a better life. They often feel a strong connection to the recipient and are proud of making an impact.
Living donors are important because a lot of people need kidney transplants and there aren’t enough organs available from people who have agreed to donate at the time of their death. “In about a quarter of kidney transplants, somebody is generous enough to share one of their kidneys to help,” he said.
Living kidneys are also better for the recipients. A recipient can usually get a living kidney sooner. And living kidneys start working right away, whereas kidneys from deceased donors can be slower at first. Living kidneys also tend to work for a longer time.
Can anyone be a kidney donor?
Many people can donate but not everyone qualifies. The transplant team screens people who would like to donate to make sure it’s safe for them and the person receiving the kidney.
Guidelines vary slightly among transplant centers. Generally, you have to:
- Be at least 18 years old — there’s no upper age limit
- Be in good overall health with no major health conditions like cancer, diabetes or uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Have a body mass index of 40 or lower
- Not be actively abusing alcohol or drugs
- Have healthy kidneys that are working well
- Be able to undergo the surgery
- Have a compatible blood type with the recipient, if you are donating to a specific person
What’s the surgery like?
The thought of going through surgery to be a living donor while not knowing how it might impact your body can be a bit scary.
Surgery for living kidney donors is easier than it used to be. It takes about three hours. It’s performed with small incisions, so you have less risk of infection, a speedier recovery and a shorter hospital stay compared to having open surgery. Most people stay in the hospital for one to two days.
The main risks of donating a kidney are the same as with any surgery. Anesthesia and surgery always bring the risk of complications. You may have pain or fatigue after the operation.
It will probably be four to six weeks before you can return to work and your normal activities. If your job doesn’t require heavy lifting, you may be able to return to work sooner.
“Once the healing process is done, most people don’t have any symptoms related to the kidney donation,” Dr. Ariyamuthu said. The transplant team will monitor your health for at least two years after surgery.
The recipient’s health insurance usually covers the expenses of kidney donation but be sure to confirm before you make your decision.
What’s life like with one kidney?
Your remaining kidney takes over for the kidney that was removed. It might perform at 60% to 70%, compared to 100% if you had both kidneys. “At that level of function, you don’t have any symptoms related to kidney disease and you can go back to your regular physical activities,” Dr. Ariyamuthu said. Kidney donation doesn’t shorten your lifespan.
It is highly unlikely that your remaining kidney will fail. But if that happened, you would have significant priority in the national transplant waitlist because of your donation.
If you are considering donation, you can evaluate your risk for kidney disease prior to donating. You can also get more information from the National Kidney Foundation.
What to think about if you’re considering donating a kidney
You can work closely with a transplant center, so you have the information you need to make your decision. Before donating, it’s important to:
- Think about your motivations
- Consider how organ donation might affect your life
- Find out if your family will support your decision to donate
The bottom line
Donating a kidney can give another person the opportunity to have a longer, healthier life. If you’re considering kidney donation, learn more and think about whether it’s right for you. Your health care provider or an expert at Banner Health can connect you with the information you need to make this life-saving decision.
