Thinking about donating

[YollyD_NKF]

What do I need to think about before donating an organ?

[A_Cuozzo]

Everything. Recovery, emotional well-being, care and wellness you will need to maintain the rest of your life, etc... I did an excessive amount of research before donating. You need to know everything.

[marcyc NKF Ambassador NKF Peer Mentor]

Call your local transplant center. They all have living donor classes. There is no obligation. I am a RN and donated in 2015. I would do it again in a minute but it is a big decision! Look on the National Kidney Foundation website for information as well. You would have a living donor advocate. They are not associated with the transplant program who meets with you many times throughout the process right up to surgery day to make certain you are doing this without pressure and they give you every opportunity to back out. They would tell the donor that you were not medically suitable. You also have a battery of tests to make certain you are healthy enough to donate and stay safe. The donor’s insurance pays for the tests and surgery, you will be off work for a while which is not reimbursed. Lots of things to think about. Ask any questions you may have.

[Happydonor]

Dear YollyD -- I agree with the recommendations of the 2 earlier respondents. Perhaps the easiest (and most confidential) way to learn more and to make sure you are comfortable proceeding further is to click through the very many pages of information on the NKF website dealing with transplantation and the Big Give. kidney.org/transplantation/... All of the information is thorough but very easy to understand. Make sure to click through many of the topic headings to get more of the detailed info that you need. If you remain comfortable with the plan for becoming a donor then you will need to coordinate with your proposed recipient and then begin testing at his/her transplant center (or one closer to your home.....which can be done easily as well). You can also anonymously speak with representatives of the NKF Cares helpline 1.855.653.2273 who can put you in touch via phone with Living Donors. Best of luck to you and thank you for considering becoming a kidney donor. Information is power so study up and check back with our community if you have further questions/concerns.

[Hidden]

Thank you for thinking about being a living donor! Your hospital will be able to help you with all of the questions you may have, but one thing to think about is having a post-op care team to help you at home (laundry, preparing meals, grocery shopping, driving you for follow up appointments with your surgical team, etc.) during your recovery. You will need a person or people that can be 100% committed to you during that time. As I said, your hospital will be able to answer any questions you may have. Good luck!

[Kdonor]

The experience is definitely different for everyone, if you work, make sure they're on board with you taking the time off, also consider it could take you longer than the average to recover (which was my case) consider most jobs won't pay your time off, share your decision with others, you would be amazed how many people would support you. I have a kid and my older mom living with me so someone helped by starting a meal train and also a signup for car rides to take/pick up my son to/from activities. Make sure people in your house are on board or at least would have the heart to help you during recovery, if you live alone try to find someone to stay with you at least the 1st week back home, you will need the help! And everything else the others said on their comments, make sure you are ok doing it because recovery could be really tough (my case again) but super rewarding! Thinking about the fact that my pain and discomfort was just temporary vs her recovery permanent helped me so much mentally during my recovery! Best wishes on your journey!

[cathyserene]

In addition to the physical/medical preparation, concerns, and recovery, for me it was important to be comfortable with donating my kidney if my recipient didn't have a good result, or if she didn't take care of herself and ended up in trouble. I found the NKF information very helpful. Sometimes an initial donation is ineffective, but that can lead the way to knowing what to do differently for a 2nd donation. Re: my 2nd concern, if she didn't take good care of herself, I had to accept that I was giving her a gift and it was no longer mine. In my case I had a lengthy recovery (9 weeks - full recovery), my friend took good care of herself, but the end result was not in her favor. I remain glad that I gave her the opportunity to live well, and once I recovered I've been healthy and energetic. Without having done the hard emotional work ahead of time, and to think of all possibilities, I would have been completely unprepared for my good friend's death (after 3 years of being in and out of the hospital). Of course I'm still sad, but I'm glad I was able to give her a chance at life. Most recipients have a good productive life and I am happy I was able to donate.