local vs remote donation

[Red_wagon_78]

I’m trying to decide whether to stay in my hometown to donate to my family member vs traveling to where they live and donating there. From a logistical and cost perspective, it would be more convenient to donate in my hometown but I’m worried that not donating where my family member lives may decrease the chances of a successful transplant. Does anyone know if remote donation is less successful and any other factors I should consider when making this decision? Thanks

[Bassetmommer]

There is money to help with your donation process. Check them out, it might help with your decision

livingdonorassistance.org/H....

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

You are assuming you have the choice. The transplant center will require you follow their guidelines. Stop wasting time debating and ask them.

[YorkyinNorfolk]

What ever the outcome, I wish you well with everything, I’m in awe of your generosity & kindness. You are making a real difference.

[Palmtreeguy]

I received my kidney in NH, where I lived. My donor was my sister -who lives in NYC. I think it is far better that she came here and was in the room next door for her donation - fewer things to go wrong and the donation is "as fresh as can be". She had to pay for her travel and she stayed at my home for a brief recovery period. You can do both, but I would recommend you travel for the actual operation, other factors noted. Thank you for being a kidney donor.

[7thSon]

My niece donated to me. She lives in Illinois, I live in CT, and my transplant was at NY Presbyterian. My niece and her Mom (my sister) came to me. While I didn’t push it, there were certain travel expenses my insurance would cover, so you may want to look there. My understanding is that the kidney can only be out of the body for a period of time. Being in the next room, the time was 43 mins. and extremely small chance of anything happening to the organ. We got a hotel 3 blocks from the hospital. Checked in the morning of surgery. My husband and sister stayed there at night; my niece was released the day after and stayed there until I was released 2 days after that. We spent that night at the hotel. My niece needed to stay in the area until her post-surgical follow up in another week. My sister and husband cooked, my niece and I recuperated; we all started daily walks, increasing distance; and my sister drove me to my follow ups. I tell the long winded story because being together in the hospital and afterword was one of the best bonding experiences I’ve had. If you can find a way to make it happen, I highly recommend it. Best of luck to you and your amazing donor!

[Advocate4life]

Hi, Red! It's wonderful that you're able and willing to donate to your family member and it's normal to question what might be best options under the circumstances you described. My husband received his kidney from his living brother approximately 2 years ago. At the time, we lived in Northern KY and his brother in Minnesota. We had the same considerations/concerns, but also had a stellar team of coordinators on both ends who made it easier to move forward with remote donation.

The biggest risk to consider was weather, which could ground the plane. As it turns out, the weather was great but one day prior to transplant, the commercial airline notified our team that they did not have the staff for the flight. Who knew?! Kidney was placed on a private airplane, which is something we were told might be the case if needed. Well oiled machine!

Your team is an invaluable resource and should be able to provide the pros and cons to remote donation. I encourage you to ask as many questions as you need to get peace of mind with this decision.

Personally, I don't believe that remote donation itself has any bearing on the actual success once the kidney has been transplanted (not sure if there are any studies on this). My husband is 2 years out and both he and my BIL are doing great. Hope this helps!

[Steph1957]

Hello. My daughter donated a kidney to my brother in January 2023. She lives in Illinois and my brother lives in Connecticut. We had the same dilemma........but only momentarily. We decided to travel to the east coast. They had their surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Our thinking was the same as yours. We felt there was a much better chance of a successful surgery if they were in the same hospital side by side. We were concerned about weather delays in her organ getting shipped there due to potential weather delays, car crashes to and from the airports, etc. It is my understanding that a donor can get their travel costs reimbursed. Please contact your transplant coordinator. They should have all of the information. Best wishes for a successful surgery and quick recovery for both of you!

[hope1419]

I agree with the ones who say local is better. I received a living donation and we were next to each other. The kidney was out of a body only for 47 minutes. So, it worked almost immediately in me. Vs having to freeze a kidney for God knows how long and try to wake it up. If your sister has insurance, many policies have allocations to help the donor. I volunteered to pay for my donor's expenses, but she refused. She was at the hospital only one day. Then she has a couple of appointments the following week. Then she went home.

Thank you for being a donor. People like you save lives like mine!