Whether you are interested in being a kidney transplant recipient or donor, you are likely to have a lot of questions about how you qualify and what the process entails. In a Facebook Live event,  transplant nephrologist Dr. Beje Thomas and clinical social worker Alexandra Radomsky at MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute discuss the benefits of living donors and ways to find them.* 

Who is eligible for a kidney transplant? 

According to Thomas, eligibility is based on kidney function, which is measured by a test called estimated glomerular filtration rate. To be a candidate for transplant, your eGFR needs to be 20 or less, meaning that you have 20% or less remaining kidney function. 

How long is the wait for a kidney transplant? 

Wait time varies greatly depending on if you have a living kidney donor at the ready, or are awaiting a deceased donation. If you have a living donor, the wait time can be a matter of weeks. If not, it could take months or years. 

There are approximately 100,000 people on the waiting list for deceased kidney donations. Wait time is affected by multiple factors, including blood type match and where you live. Some patients can wait up to eight or nine years to receive a donation. 

What are the benefits of a living v. deceased donor transplant? 

There are several benefits to receiving a living donor organ.

• Transplants are performed sooner, reducing time on dialysis. 
• Living donors are medically screened to ensure that you receive a healthy kidney that will likely last longer. 
• A kidney from a living donor starts working very quickly. 

About 30% of recipients of deceased kidney transplants require dialysis immediately after the surgery, due to a delay in new kidney function. 

What are the requirements for becoming a living donor?

According to Thomas, potential donors must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and be of sound mind and body 
• Fill out a questionnaire 
• Be medically screened by a transplant team  
• Not currently smoke 

Donor testing and screening are covered by the recipient’s insurance. Some transplant centers offer a stipend and/or a life insurance policy. Speak with the transplant center about what donor benefits are available. 

Thomas says not to let differing blood types deter patients and living donors from starting the process.

What is it like for the donor after surgery?

Donors are in surgery for about 2-3 hours and are usually discharged within 24 hours. Rest is recommended for several weeks following the operation. Donors usually follow up with the surgeon 1-2 weeks after the procedure and have access to the entire transplant team if needed, at no additional cost. 

In rare instances, donors can develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). If this occurs, and the donor eventually needs a transplant, they will be placed at the top of the kidney waitlist. 

How do I find a donor? 

Don’t be scared to ask for a kidney donation, Radomsky says. “It only takes one person who feels the call to help to change your life.” Some suggestions she has for finding a donor include:

• Make t-shirts that express your need for a kidney. One man found a kidney this way when he wore a custom shirt at Disney World. 
• Share your story on social media.
• If you are part of a church or other religious community, speak with your faith leader about how to share your story with other members. 
• If you do not like sharing your own story, find a friend or family member willing to help you spread the word. 

When should I start looking for a living donor?

If you have CKD stages 1-3, Thomas recommends focusing on preventing disease progression. At stage 4 or 5 (or an eGFR less than 30), you can start actively looking and asking for donors. 

Where can I find more information on transplants?

Radomsky and Thomas discuss a few trusted sources they recommend to patients to learn more about the transplant process. They include: 

• National Kidney Foundation 
• National Kidney Registry
• Transplant Coach 
• MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute 

*MedStar Health. (2021, January 15). Facebook Live: Finding a living kidney donor [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxkZipqes98