Learn About Living Kidney Donation
Living kidney donation is safe, life-saving, and allows donors to live full, healthy lives with one kidney. Below are trusted resources to help you learn more about the donation process.
Quick Navigation
🇺🇸 National Organizations
National Kidney Foundation – The leading organization for kidney health and transplantation
Website: https://www.kidney.org/
Living Donor Information: https://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) – Official organization managing organ transplantation in the United States
Website: https://unos.org/
Living Donation: https://unos.org/transplant/living-donation/
OrganDonor.gov – U.S. government resource for organ donation information
Website: https://www.organdonor.gov/
Living Donation Guide: https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/living-donation
National Living Donor Assistance Center – Financial assistance for living donors (travel, lodging reimbursement)
Website: https://www.livingdonorassistance.org/
Phone: 1-888-870-5002
🇺🇸 Frequently Asked Questions (US-based donors)
What is living kidney donation?
Living kidney donation is when a healthy person donates one of their two kidneys to someone with kidney failure. Donors can live full, healthy lives with one kidney.
Is it safe?
Living kidney donation has a 99.8% safety rate. Donors are thoroughly screened, and all medical costs are covered by the recipient’s insurance.
Who can donate?
Most healthy adults between 18-65 can donate. Blood type matching isn’t always required thanks to paired donation programs.
What is the recovery time?
Most donors return to work in 4-6 weeks. Full recovery typically takes 6-8 weeks.
Don’t I need both of my kidneys?
No. One kidney can do the work of two. Your remaining kidney will compensate and function normally.
How much does it cost the donor?
Nothing. All medical costs related to evaluation, surgery, and follow-up care are covered. Some programs also assist with travel and lost wages.
International Resources
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
NHS Blood and Transplant – Official NHS organization for organ donation and transplantation in the UK
Website: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/
Living Donation: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/what-we-do/transplantation-services/living-donation/
Phone: 0300 123 23 23
Kidney Care UK – Leading kidney patient charity in the UK
Website: https://www.kidneycareuk.org/
Living Donation Guide: https://www.kidneycareuk.org/about-kidney-health/living-donation/
Helpline: 01420 541 424
PKD Charity (Polycystic Kidney Disease)– UK charity supporting people with PKD
Website: https://pkdcharity.org.uk/
Helpline: 0300 111 1234
(Particularly relevant for PKD patients whose family members may also be affected)
British Transplant Society – Professional organization for transplantation in the UK
Website: https://bts.org.uk/
Patient Information: https://bts.org.uk/information-resources/
Give a Kidney – UK charity promoting altruistic (non-directed) kidney donation
Website: https://www.giveakidney.org/
Information: https://www.giveakidney.org/about-living-donation/
🇬🇧 UK-Specific FAQs
How does living donation work in the UK?
The NHS fully covers all medical costs for living kidney donors, including evaluation, surgery, follow-up care, travel expenses, and lost earnings (up to certain limits). The UK has an excellent living donor program with outcomes comparable to the best in the world.
What are the wait times in the UK?
The average wait time for a deceased donor kidney in the UK is approximately 2-3 years, though this varies by region and blood type. Living donor transplants can happen much faster – often within 3-6 months of finding a suitable donor.
Who can donate in the UK?
The UK accepts both directed donations (to a specific person) and altruistic donations (to anyone on the waitlist). The Human Tissue Authority regulates all living donations to ensure they’re voluntary and ethical.
Are there financial protections for donors?
Yes. UK living kidney donors receive:
- All medical expenses covered by NHS
- Travel expense reimbursement
- Lost earnings compensation (for up to 6 weeks)
- Priority on transplant list if they ever need a kidney
- Lifetime follow-up care at no cost
What is the Kidney Sharing Scheme?
The UK National Living Donor Kidney Sharing Scheme allows incompatible donor-recipient pairs to be matched with other pairs. If you’re willing to donate but not a match for your intended recipient, this program can help both patients receive transplants.
Where can I learn more?
Contact NHS Blood and Transplant or your local transplant center for detailed information about becoming a living kidney donor in the UK.
Learn More
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a living kidney donor, the best resource is to contact the transplant center directly.
You can also reach out through any patient story on this site – we’re happy to answer questions and provide guidance. Thank you for considering this life-saving gift.