What is living organ donation?
Many people who choose to donate organs choose to do it upon their death. But people can donate certain organs while they are still living. This is called living organ donation. These people are called "living donors."
Becoming a living organ donor
When you are a possible living donor, your rights and privacy are carefully protected. It's also very important to be informed about the risks of donating an organ. To help you make the best decision for you, you will have an independent donor advocate (IDA) who will guide you and answer your questions.
Here are the steps for making a donation:
- Contact the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
You can call UNOS at 1-888-894-6361 or go online at www.transplantliving.org to get more information and to locate the nearest transplant center.
- Learn about the risks.
Risks vary with the organ donated and from person to person.
- Complete a medical evaluation that includes blood tests.
The test results can help match you to an organ recipient.
Throughout the planning process, know that it's never too late to change your mind about donating an organ. Talk with your IDA and others you trust to be sure you're making the right decision for you. Your long-term health is just as important as that of the person who will receive your donation.
Can anyone be a living organ donor?
- You don't have to be in perfect health to donate an organ, as long as the organ you donate is healthy.
- People of any age can sign up to be organ donors. In many states there's no minimum age. An adult might have to sign for someone under age 18.
- To be a living donor, you must be:
- In good general health.
- Free from diseases that can damage the organs. These include diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and cancer.
- If you are or may someday become pregnant, talk with your doctor. Donating an organ could affect your future pregnancies.
What assessments are done before you become a living organ donor?
Before you become a living organ donor, assessments will be done. These include:
- Cross-match for transplant.
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This is a blood test that shows whether the recipient's body will reject your donor organ immediately. The cross-match will mix your blood with the recipient's blood to see if proteins in the recipient's blood might attack your donated organ.
- Coombs antibody screen.
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This test finds out if the recipient has antibodies against a broad range of people. If so, it means there is a higher risk of rejection, even if the cross-match shows a good match.
- Blood type.
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This is a blood test that shows which type of blood you have—type A, B, O, or AB. Your blood type should be compatible with the organ recipient's blood type. But doctors can sometimes transplant an organ between people with different blood types.
- HLA type.
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This blood test shows the genetic makeup of your body's cells. We inherit three different kinds of genetic markers from our mothers and three from our fathers. HLA type sometimes plays a role in matching an organ recipient to a donor.
- Mental health assessment or social network evaluation.
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At these visits, an evaluator looks at your emotional health, your social support, and how donation might affect you. These visits can help give you information to understand your own interests, the future effects on your health, and if you're feeling pressure to donate from another person or from a sense of obligation.
Other screenings may be done, depending on the organ you're donating.
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