Kidney donor

[Serennaj]

Hi, I’m 17 years old and I wanna give a kidney to someone that’s in need!

How could I do that?

[YollyD_NKF]

It is wonderful that you want to help someone in this way. However, living donors must be at least 18 years of age, and many hospitals require donors to be 21, 25 or even older, since living donation is a serious operation. For more information visit: kidney.org/atoz/content/liv...

[Naifgg]

Where do you live

[Jaycee14]

My wife is in need of a donor, and I am currently in the testing process to see if I match her, because the doctor does not want to test her kids yet, who are 20 and 22 years old. They don't want to disrupt their younger years of they can prevent it, including their ability to become parents. (Not that they cannot; its the stress levels they want to avoid.) The great news is that they will be able to donate later on still if my wife's first kidney fails (which does happen). My advice? Live life for a few years, then absolutely start discussing with your doctor how to donate once you're a little older! It's amazing to know that there are people like you!

[SoniaBrummer]

You are so kind and thoughtful! May I ask what prompted you to considering living donation?

Great advice already given here!

I donated young too. I was 25 when I got tested and 26 at the time of my surgery. In my testing process, there was a phase for mental and emotional health. This is standard and I sensed that they focused on those areas with me. It is uncommon for young people to want to give anonymously. And in hindsight, it is good that they thoroughly test those kinds of health!

There is a lot more to donating than just the surgery itself. One example - they did a great job of prepping me for the possibility of not ever meeting the recipient. I'm glad I went through that thought process and soul searching. It has been 9 years and I never met the recipient and I'm good with that and no regrets.

Don't be discouraged if you are not allowed to donate yet. If it is meant to be and if you really want to, the opportunity will be there when you're in your 20's. The wait list is long and there will be a recipient for you!

[Cindy2018]

So kind of you. I think you have to be 18 and a lot of people would encourage you to wait even longer because there aren’t a ton of long terms studies and it’s hard to predict your long term health. It’s a huge deal.

Don’t get discouraged, though, there’s so much you can do to help already. The biggest thing I can think of is to help get people registered on their driver’s license. I read somewhere that even though over 90% support organ donation, a much lower percentage (like, half) are actually registered. Closing that gap could make a huge difference.

Meanwhile, take care of yourself and your health. It’s important that prospective donors are in good health.

[CarolOffen]

Your intentions are very commendable! This is a huge decision because donating a kidney is a life-changing act. Most transplant centers require donors to be at least 18 and many prefer over 25. I would urge you to wait. Also, because there is a lack of very long-term effects on the health of donors, it is best to hold off if you don't have a specific recipient in mind. (I donated to my son when I was 58 and would do it again in a heartbeat, but I'm not suggesting you wait that long!) In any case, please inform yourself thoroughly before making any decision. Good luck to you.

[CarolOffen in reply to CarolOffen]

oops--I meant to say there is a lack of evidence or large studies of very long-term effects