Give life
Over a thousand of San Diegans need a kidney transplant. Living donors can end their wait.
Living donor kidney transplant
Living donor kidney transplant is the donation of a kidney from a live person to a patient whose own kidneys are no longer functioning. Living donor kidney transplants have become increasingly more common due to the long waiting time for a kidney from a patient who has passed away. Currently the wait time in San Diego is 5 to 10 years depending on a recipient’s blood type.
Living kidney donors can make an immediate and dramatic impact on another person’s life. There are tremendous benefits of receiving a living kidney transplant including:
Quicker organ function — a transplant from a living donor allows for less delay between removing the organ and transplanting it along with a quicker recovery
Longevity of transplanted kidney — kidneys from living donors last 15 to20 years compared to 7 to 10 years from a deceased donor
Convenience — the transplant surgery can be scheduled for a time that is convenient for both the recipient and donor
Avoiding dialysis — if the recipient has not started dialysis, they may be able to get a pre-emptive transplant before beginning dialysis
Who is a good potential living donor?
A living donor should be generally healthy and commit to maintaining good health after donation. They can be a family member, friend or some donate altruistically. Living donors need to be at least 18 and must be donating willingly, free from pressure from others.
Living donors must also:
Have normal kidney function
Be free from diabetes and active cancer
Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) less than 35
No high blood pressure or controlled high blood pressure with single medication
Our living donor team will conduct a thorough medical and psychosocial evaluation to ensure each potential donor is a suitable candidate for donation, and a good match for the recipient.
If you're ready to become a donor, please complete our living donor intake form.
"If you are considering becoming a living donor, do it! I promise you that the feeling of saving someone’s life is like no other."
– Amanda Kotanen, Sharp Memorial Hospital living kidney donor