Considering Donating myKidney

[green1981]

Hello I am new to this site. Reading all the posts is very helpful. I am just beginning to research the process for donating my kidney. I feel called to donate to someone I know. He is on transplant list at UF Shands in Gainesville, FL. He is trying to get listed at Emory in Atlanta, GA too. Do any of you have experience at either of these transplant centers? And how do you know which center is best to use? Do some centers cover more costs for the donor such as lost wages?

[SisterSangre]

Hello Green 1981,

I do not know either of these sites as I donated in Texas. But it wasn't where I was donating, it was to whom I was donating that mattered to me. As for costs, once you decide to donate, the transplant team will have you come in and go through everything...how the kidneys work, what the surgery will be like, what recovery will be like and how long, and who pays for it all. I would imagine that in every case (but I'm not sure), the recipient's surgery is billed for everything. I did not pay a dime to donate my kidney. I hope for the best outcome for your friend and you. 🙂

[Ailema2026]

Once you become approved to be a donor you can apply with the National Living Donor Association (NLDAC) for travel expenses and lost wages. I would not have been able to donate without their assistance. I learned about this from my transplant nurse coordinator and submitted my application to her, and I believe it was processed by the social worker on my donor team. You may be able to apply directly through the NLDAC though. livingdonorassistance.org/

[STLtoCLT]

Consider looking up National Kidney Registry (NKR) and see who their partner hospitals are and what services they list for each hospital. I donated through NKR at UNC Hospital and it was a good experience having NKR as somewhat of a third-party advocate.

[SoniaBrummer]

It is really exciting to see that you are considering to donate your kidney! I did not donate at either of those facilities. I'm up in MN. I also did not pay a dime in the entire process. It is my understanding that in my case and all cases, the recipient's insurance covers all the cost, not you. You can go get tested anonymously and back out at any time for any reason and still not pay - and they'd never know if you don't want them to. A very low-pressure process if you want to explore more with the expertise of a healthcare transplant team. The hospitals have a way of handling the accounting. You can say you'd like to get tested to be a donor, that you have someone in mind, but you'd like to start the process on your own until you've made a decision. As for lost wages - that will differ a lot depending on your state laws and your employer benefits. I was extremely lucky - my CEO was so moved by my wish to donate that he had my wages covered 100% while I was gone. Not every company will do that, but you just never know what could happen. I think normally it would have fallen into the short term disability program.