Basic HTML Version
Q:
How easy is it to obtain a kidney for
a transplant?
Many more people are waiting for kidneys than there
are kidneys available for transplant. There is a waiting
list for kidneys from deceased donors. There is no
waiting list for a living kidney transplant.
Q:
What is a living donation?
Healthy people have two kidneys. They can live a
normal life with only one. If a person wants to, he or
she can donate one kidney to someone who needs it.
This is called a
living kidney donation
.
Q:
Who do living kidney donations come from?
Most living kidney transplants come from family related
by blood (brother, sister, parent). If you don’t have
family who can donate, that’s ok. A friend, spouse or
co-worker can donate to you. Doctors check to see if
this kidney will work in your body. If it would, then the
transplant process can start.
Q:
Who can be a living kidney donor?
To qualify as a living donor, someone needs to be in
good shape and in good health. He or she can’t have
high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, or kidney, heart,
liver or lung disease. The person cannot have HIV or
hepatitis. Talk with your doctor about your ability to be
a living kidney donor.
3