Voucher Program

[PeterChao]

I think the general public doesn’t realize that transplanted kidneys have a limited life span, generally about 10-12 years. This means many transplant recipients need another transplant in the future.

Something to consider is the voucher program. This would allow a living donor to donate their kidney prior to the patient needing it. That patient would receive a voucher for when they need the kidney in the future.

You can learn more about it here

kidneyregistry.org/info/vou...

I received my kidney on 1/24/2018, I’m doing well and very grateful my mom(72) at the time was able to donate her kidney to me. Good luck to anyone that is waiting. Hope this information helps!

[Tennvol11]

I do disagree with the lifespan you mentioned. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular bloodwork can also extend the life span. And most people are probably closer to 15+ with advancements in immunosuppressants.

[PeterChao in reply to Tennvol11]

Hi Tennvol11,

I definitely think there are cases were transplanted kidneys can last decades. But every transplant is different, for example, a kidney coming from a deceased donor has a shorted life span then one coming from a living donor.

A recipient that is 12, may need more than one transplant in their life. In these situtations, the voucher program is ideal. I’m just trying to create awareness about the program. If more people knew about it, it could reduce the waitlist.

[Falkenhayn]

Alternatively, we could require everyone to sign an irrevocable kidney donor list between the ages of 18 and 24, and then only those who had already agreed to be donors if needed would be eligible for a transplant themselves, should they some day need one. Obviously some adjustments to take account of people medically ineligible to donate, or out of the country at the relevant time, would have to be made. But this would at least solve the donor shortage.