Living kidney donation is when a healthy person donates one of their two kidneys while they are alive. Getting a kidney from a living donor has lots of benefits for the person who needs a transplant, called the recipient. If you are interested in donating a kidney, you will work with my transplant center at the University of Colorado Hospital. My transplant center will make sure you are healthy enough to donate, do the surgery, and help you recover.

There are a few common requirements for people who are interested in living donation. You must be at least 18 years old. There are some medical conditions that could prevent you from being a living donor, including having uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer. If you’re a smoker, you will most likely be asked to quit before being approved to donate. You should be honest with the team about your smoking habits to make sure that the donation and transplant are successful.

in order to be blood-type compatible with piper, you must be an o blood type. thankfully rh (positive or negative) does not matter. if you do not know your blood type, my transplant center can order the test for you to determine your blood type.

If you turn out not to be a good match, another option is a “paired exchange”. A paired exchange involves two pairs of living donors and their recipients. The two recipients “swap” donors so that each receives a kidney from the other person’s donor. O blood type is also preferred for the paired exchange option, as it opens up a broader pool of potential recipients.

If you pass the initial screening, my kidney transplant team will reach out to you for next steps. Workup includes initial bloodwork and urine to determine if you’re healthy enough to donate. Followed by additional bloodwork to see if you’re a match for me. If you are a match, you will be required to have an in-person visit at the University of Colorado Anschutz Campus for a complete evaluation. After your evaluation, the transplant board will meet to either approve or deny you. Travel costs to be evaluated at my transplant center are not covered by insurance, but reach out to us if assistance is needed!

Your surgery will most likely be laparoscopic, meaning you'll have tiny incisions in your belly area to remove your kidney. Most donors only stay in the hospital after donating for about 1-2 nights.It will take about 4-6 weeks to fully recover and get back to a normal, healthy life. You'll have follow-up appointments with the transplant team to make sure you're doing well and healing properly.

• Kidney donors will not have a shorter life from donating their kidney. Research has shown that living kidney donors, of all ethnicities, have the same life expectancy, or live just as long, as people who don't donate. There have even been some studies that show people who donate a kidney actually live longer than the general population!

• Donors do not have to follow a special diet after donating, but a healthy, balanced diet is recommended for anyone. Donors can still drink alcohol, in moderation.

• Donors should take special care of the kidney they have left, including protection during contact sports.