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Living Donation

Learn more about living donor transplants.

Living Donor Transplants

If you or your loved one has been listed for an organ transplant, a living donor transplant may be an option for you. Living donors may donate a kidney or a portion of their liver. In rare instances, one may also be able to donate a portion of a pancreas, lungs or intestine.

While the majority of living donors are blood relatives, this is not a requirement. Living donors can be a friend or even an altruistic stranger.

Roma Warner, living donor, smiles with her husband and kidney recipient, John Warner.
Roma Warner, living donor, smiles with her husband and kidney recipient, John Warner.
Advantages of Living Donation
  • The procedure can be scheduled at a time that works best for the donor and recipient.
  • Transplant patients who receive a living donor kidney usually see immediate function.
  • Transplants from family members that have a strong genetic match with the recipient lower the risk of rejection of the organ.
Living Donor FAQs
What are the qualifications for living donors?
  • You should be physically fit and free from high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease and heart disease.
  • You must be informed of the risks involved and have full medical and psychological evaluations to check for compatibility.
  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • Your decision to donate must be voluntary.
  • You cannot be paid for the donated organ, because it is illegal under the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984.
How long does it take to recover from living donation?

Recovery times vary on an individual basis; however, most living donors are released from the hospital within 4-6 days and resume normal activities about four to six weeks after surgery.

Who pays for living donation?

Medical expenses for living donation are generally covered by the transplant recipient’s insurance plan. This includes expenses for your evaluation, surgery, and certain follow-up tests and medical appointments.

Costs outside of this protocol are not covered. For full details on financial aspects of the procedure, contact your transplant center.

PA State Rep. Tarah Toohil, living kidney donor
PA State Rep. Tarah Toohil, living kidney donor
Will I continue to need medical evaluation after the organ donation?

In most cases transplant centers require follow-up appointments at six, 12 and 24 months after donation.

What is non-directed donation?

Non-directed donors are living donors who are not related to or known by the recipient. This type of donation is also known as anonymous or altruistic living donation. If you are interested in becoming a non-directed donor you can contact transplant centers in your area to discuss the possibility of becoming a donor.

What is paired exchange donation?
A paired exchange donation involves two donor/recipient pairs whose blood types are not compatible.
© The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System.

A paired exchange donation involves two donor/recipient pairs whose blood types are not compatible. The two recipients trade donors so that each recipient can receive a same type organ with a compatible blood type.

How can I start the process?

If you’re interested in becoming a living donor contact transplant centers in your area to discuss the possibility of becoming a donor. The list of local transplant centers with living donor transplant programs can be found here.

What happens if I change my mind about being a living donor?

You can change your mind at any time during the process. Your decision and reasons will be kept confidential.

Learn more

To access more resources on living donation, click here.

Related Content

  • American Society of Transplantation

    The American Society of Transplantation is an organization of professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation and improving patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy, and organ donation.

  • Alliance for Paired Donation (APD)

    The Alliance for Paired Donations exists to serve kidney patients through technology, education and generosity. Our mission is to save lives by securing a living donor kidney transplant for every patient who needs one.

  • Living Kidney Donor Network (LKDN)

    The Living Kidney Donor Network mission is to educate people in need of a kidney transplant about living donation and to prepare them to effectively communicate their need to family members and friends. The network promotes a better understanding by the public about living kidney donation.

  • National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC)

    The National Living Donor Assistance Center mission is to reduce the financial disincentives to living organ donation. It operates a nationwide system that provides reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses to people being evaluated for and/or undergoing living organ donation.

  • United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)

    United Network for Organ Sharing manages the nation’s organ transplant system under contract with the federal government. The network serves as the model for transplant systems around the world, bringing together hundreds of transplant and and organ procurement professionals and thousands of volunteers to make life-saving transplants possible each day.

  • HRSA

    The Health Resources and Services Administration is the primary federal agency for improving health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable.

  • National Kidney Foundation

    National Kidney Foundation is a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease. As pioneers of scientific research and innovation, the foundation focuses on the whole patient through the lens of kidney health.

  • Make a Difference Now: Sign Up!

    When you register as an organ donor you're saying "yes" to saving lives. The process is quick and easy to do.

  • Gift of Life Stories

    The gift of organ and tissue donation can change someone's life and rewrite their story. Here, donor families, transplant recipients and others share inspiring stories about how donation and transplant transforms lives.

  • Get Involved

    Find information about our Ambassador Program and how you can get involved.