Living Donation
Donating an organ to someone who needs it is an act of great courage and generosity. We consider those who become living kidney donors to be true heroes. We recognize that deciding to become a donor is deeply personal, and each individual has unique motivations.
Living donation refers to a person selflessly and voluntarily donating an organ or a part of an organ to another person who needs a transplant. It is an act of compassion, bravery, and generosity that can significantly improve the recipient’s quality of life.
For example, living kidney donation is possible because the human body can function normally with just one fully functioning kidney. This means a healthy individual can donate one of their kidneys to someone in need without compromising their health or well-being. The donated kidney will integrate seamlessly into the recipient’s body and perform the essential functions of filtering waste products and regulating fluid balance.
Similarly, living liver donation is a viable option due to the liver’s unique regenerative capabilities. The liver comprises two lobes, and donating a portion of one lobe to a person needing a liver transplant is possible. The remaining lobe in the donor’s liver will naturally regenerate and regain its normal size and function within a relatively short time, typically 6 to 12 weeks. This remarkable regenerative power enables living liver donors to save lives while maintaining their liver health.
Living donation is a selfless act that can make a profound difference in the lives of individuals needing organ transplants. Whether through living kidney donation or living liver donation, the human body’s incredible resilience and regenerative abilities enable us to give the gift of life and hope to those who need it most.
Living donation is a selfless act that can make a profound difference in the lives of individuals needing organ transplants. Whether through living kidney donation or living liver donation, the human body’s incredible resilience and regenerative abilities enable us to give the gift of life and hope to those who need it most.
Becoming a living donor is profoundly personal and requires careful consideration. Donors are motivated by various reasons, including a desire to help a loved one or a fellow human being in need and a belief in the importance of organ donation. It is important to note that the choice to become a living donor should be made voluntarily, without coercion or external pressure.
FAQ
What is living donation?
Living donation is an option for those who are waiting for organ transplantation from a deceased donor. In living donation, a person donates a part or an entire organ for transplantation to another person. The most common types of living donation include donating a single kidney, a segment of the liver, a lobe of one lung, a portion of the pancreas or a portion of the intestine.
Living donor transplants are an excellent option for patients who need new organs. Various types of organs can be provided by living donors, such as:
- kidney
This is the most common form of living organ donation. All living kidney donors will undergo a reduction in their kidney function, the extent of which may differ based on the donor’s age and medical background. - liver
Individuals can generously donate a portion of their liver, which can regenerate and fully restore its functionality. - lung
Although lung lobes cannot regenerate, individuals can confidently donate a lobe of one lung. - intestine
Although highly uncommon, donating a section of your intestine is possible. - pancreas
Individuals can confidently contribute a portion of the pancreas. - heart
A domino transplant allows heart-lung recipients to become living heart donors. When a patient receives a heart-lung “bloc” from a deceased donor, their healthy heart can be given to an individual who is waiting for a heart transplant. This procedure is extremely rare and is only used when doctors decide that the deceased donor’s lungs will work best if they are used together with the deceased donor’s heart.
What are the advantages of living donation
over non-living donation?
Here are some of the main reasons why living organ donation may be preferred over deceased organ donation:
- Availability – Living donation addresses the severe shortage of organs for transplant, alleviating long waitlists and expanding the organ supply.
- Planning – Living donation allows for better planning of transplant surgeries since the timing is known, eliminating the need to wait for a deceased donor match.
- Outcomes – Organs from living donors are often in better condition since they are harvested when healthy, resulting in higher survival rates than deceased donor transplants.
- Pre-emptive transplantation – Individuals with progressive diseases can sometimes receive a living donor transplant before becoming very ill or needing dialysis treatment, leading to improved outcomes.
- Psychological benefit – Living donation saves the life of someone they care about and provides a psychological benefit to the donor.
However, it is essential to note that living donation carries risks to the donor, including potential complications from surgery and the lifelong adjustment of living with one less organ. So, it’s important to have a thorough screening of potential donors. Additionally, ethical considerations surrounding informed consent and the voluntary nature of the donation should be considered. Overall, there are pros and cons to both living and deceased organ donation that require careful consideration.
To be eligible as a living donor, one must be physically fit, in good health, and free from high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, and heart disease. The age range for potential donors usually falls between 18 to 60 years. Gender and race don’t play a role in determining a successful match. The first step in the process is a blood test to confirm blood type compatibility with the recipient. If the donor and recipient have compatible blood types, the donor will undergo a thorough medical history review and physical examination.
It’s important to note that the decision to become a living donor is entirely voluntary, and the donor may change their mind at any point during the process. The donor’s decision and reasons for it will be kept confidential.
Regardingliving donations, the recipient’s insurance usually covers most of the associated medical costs. However, the government mandates that all certified transplant centers charge an “acquisition fee” to recipients’ insurance when they receive a transplant. This fee is meant to cover the medical expenses related to the donor’s medical evaluation, transplant procedure, and postoperative care, also known as the “donor protocol.” However, the fee does not cover any expenses that fall outside of this protocol, such as annual physicals, travel and lodging, lost wages, and other non-medical expenses.
