Working together, we can help end the needless loss of lives due to kidney disease
1 in 7
kidney disease
90,000
life-renewing kidney transplant
17
a kidney transplant
3 to 5
a deceased donor kidney
Praise for Gifting Kidneys
"Thank you, it will be very helpful to have such current and comprehensive information bound into a convenient handbook."
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Discover How Kidney Donors Gift Life
and What It Means For Those Who Do
With the critical shortage of kidneys available from deceased donors, about 6,000 healthy adults in the U.S. alone donate to family, friends, and even strangers each year. However, the shortage remains. More donors are needed. That’s why living kidney donors created this complete master guide, answering all the most frequently asked questions about kidney donation in a simple Q&A format, such as:
Who is Eligible to Donate?
Learn about donor eligibility guidelines, how donors are evaluated and approved to donate, and what to expect during the extensive donor evaluation.
Who Can Donate to Whom?
Find out how donors and recipients are matched and what exchange programs are available for pairs who do not match in order to still proceed with a transplant.
How Do Donors Get Started?
Get guided through every step of the donation process, starting with the options for getting started and how to select a transplant center.
What Emotions Might Be Expected?
Hear from past donors on their emotional experiences throughout the donor process, learn from their advice, and find out what emotions might be expected with this extraordinary journey.
Will Donating Cost Financially?
Discover what costs donors may have, such as travel and lost wages, and what donor assistance programs are available to help with any costs for eligible donors.
What to Expect For the Surgery and Recovery
Get to know what might be expected for the surgery and recovery, including how long it may take to return to normal activities, common scar types, preparing for the procedure, and much more.
What Are the Health Risks of Donating?
Find out what scientific research says about immediate and future health risks for kidney donors and the ways risks are minimized.
How Do Donors Stay Healthy With One Kidney?
Learn how kidney donors may live a normal, healthy life with one kidney and what they can do to maintain sufficient kidney function with one kidney.
Education, Support and Awareness
Living Kidney Donation
Tami Winchell, BCPA is a Board-Certified Patient Advocate, health writer, and nutritionist focused on improving health and well-being through education and mentorship. In 2014, she donated a kidney to her husband after his kidneys failed due to polycystic kidney disease. Since then, she has been a loyal mentor for living kidney donors and transplant recipients, helping them navigate their transplant journeys and encouraging responsible, informed living kidney donation.
Laura Perin, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and co-Director of the GOFARR laboratory, an NIH-funded research laboratory. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate kidney disease and pediatric kidney cancer. She has published more than 60 peer-reviewed publications on kidney disease. Dr. Perin is also a living kidney donor to her husband affected by polycystic kidney disease in 2021 and since has been highly involved in advocating responsible living kidney donation.
“Donating my kidney was a feeling of elation and euphoria that is hard to put into words. I felt so happy for my kidney recipient.”
Colleen Flanary
Living Kidney Donor, 2018
“Donating was the best thing I’ve done. It makes me feel like I got to do something extremely meaningful with my life, beyond what I expected.”
Brock Hall
Living Kidney Donor, 2020
"Gifting Kidneys is exactly what my family needed for going through the transplant!"
