FAQ

It depends. If a donor is entering paired exchange, they do not have the ability to choose to whom they are donating, however in other circumstances they can choose, be it their spouse, their friend or whomever they wish to donate to.

The transplant center will test both you and your recipient to see if you are a match for a direct donation. If you are not a match, you may still donate to your recipient through paired kidney exchange or a voucher donation. Learn more HERE

If blood types are not compatible, the donor will not be able to donate directly. However, the donor may consider donating through a paired exchange program. Paired exchange programs allow the targeted recipient to get a kidney from another donor who is not a match for their intended recipient.

The Family Voucher is designed to address this concern. The donor gives a voucher for up to five family members. If one of them needs a kidney any time in the future, the individual is prioritized for a living kidney transplant.

The average testing process could take 3 to 4 months, but may be longer depending on the donor’s availability and acquisition of requested medical documents.

Donors actually tend to live a longer life because they tend to take much better care of themselves post-donation and hence have a better quality of life.

Donors can live a normal life after donation. Doctors thoroughly evaluate everybody prior to allowing them to donate. If they do determine that there are contraindications to donating and we’re putting them at high risk then we will not clear somebody to donate.

A huge component of the donor evaluation is assessing the kidney function of the potential donor. If it’s determined that that donor has any type of kidney disease, they will not be allowed to donate.

People into their 70s can donate a kidney—it is all about the health of the potential living donor. The oldest donor that I helped get through the donation process was 78—he donated to his wife and lived a perfectly healthy life afterwards.

A kidney donor will be given prescriptions for pain medication and stool softeners at discharge from the hospital. These are only for the immediate post-operative period, after that time, a donor does not have to take medication. A kidney donor will never have to take anti-rejection medications.

A kidney donor will have some pain after surgery from both the incisions and related to gas and bloating. This pain will diminish in the days following surgery and can be controlled with pain medication if necessary.

A kidney donor will be out of bed and walking independently before discharge from the hospital.

A kidney donor will be hospitalized for two nights (i.e., if surgery is on a Tuesday, the donor will typically be discharged on Thursday).

A kidney donor should be able to return to regular activities and exercise at approximately four to six weeks following surgery.

A kidney donor should eat a healthy, well balanced diet. There are no dietary restrictions following donation.

While excessive alcohol use is always dangerous, a kidney donor can consume alcohol in moderation.

A female kidney donor should wait at least six months after donation to become pregnant. The body requires time to recover from the surgery and to adjust to living with one kidney prior to pregnancy.

Most kidney donors are able to resume normal relationships within two weeks of donating.

The recipient’s insurance pays for the donor’s testing, evaluation, and surgery, even in the case of a donor doing a non-directed direction.

Donors may not be compensated for donating a kidney. However, expenses associated with donation (travel, lodging, etc.) may be reimbursed by the National Kidney Registry, the National Living Donor Assistance Center, or American Living Organ Donor Fund. You may also be eligible for lost wage reimbursement through one of these organizations.