The Donation Process:
Testing to Recovery
How do I check if I’m qualified to donate my kidney?
Take a 10-minute survey (click Donor Survey). If approved, the next steps are evaluation of your medical history, labs and tests. You will be assigned a dedicated medical team from Loyola, paid 100% by my insurance who will guide you step-by-step. Your team and my team are completely separate. Your team advocates ONLY for you and any information shared is HIPPA- protected and never shared with me. Here is your medical team:
Transplant doctor
Transplant surgeon
Nurse coordinator
Nurse practitioner
Living donor nurse coordinator
Living donor advocate
Clinical pharmacist
Dietitian
Financial coordinator
Psychologist
Do I need to be a family member or exact “blood match” with the patient?
No – donors can be family members or unrelated strangers. If you “match” me, that’s great; if not, your kidney is paired with another patient you match from “the pool.” I’ll receive the next available kidney from a different live donor who matches me. Sometimes, one donation causes a "cascading effect" where several kidney patients will be helped. Click this cool article or this video.
What if I change my mind about donating?
No problem. Just tell your nurse. First, you don’t need a reason, and none is ever recorded in any computer system anyway. Donation is a personal decision. I get it. Second, nobody except you will ever know you changed your mind.
Can I talk to someone who already donated a kidney about their experience?
Yes. I recommend this. Ask your nurse about the Donor Connect Program and express your preferences for someone to talk to. You can also review several videos from actual donors and see/hear their real-world experience with the decision process, testing and recovery after surgery.
Is my privacy protected?
An iron-clad YES! As a donor, you’ll get your own private medical team and, unless you instruct them otherwise, I’ll never know who you are or anything about you. There’s a solid wall between my medical team and yours. If you want to introduce yourself to me at some point, I’d love to thank you in person for saving my life. Just talk to your medical team to make the introduction.
Is my donation confidential or public?
It’s 100% confidential. You will work with your own “donor medical team” solely dedicated to you. I have a separate team focused on me. If you want to publicize your donation or let family and friends know, that’s up to you.
Where do I go for pre-surgery evaluation and testing?
The initial 10-minute survey and medical history are done online and over the phone.
If you pass these screens, you would go to a hospital near you or Loyola Medical Center in the Chicago area – wherever is convenient for you. If bloodwork ("labs") is required after your initial testing, you can request they be done at your home or work instead of a hospital.
If you live near Chicago, Loyola will work with you in advance to arrange all labs and testing in one day at its main location. Regardless, your dedicated medical team will walk you through the process step-by-step.
I’m concerned about pre-existing conditions
You will be tested, screened and scanned for existing or potential conditions that represent even the smallest risk to your current or future health. I can't emphasize enough how comprehensive your evaluation will be. If you have a pre-existing condition that prevents donation, you will be notified by your medical team as soon as they know and any further testing will be stopped. For details on the types of tests conducted, see here.
What specific pre-existing conditions disqualify me as a potential donor?
Uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, current cancer (not previous), HIV, hepatitis, high cholesterol, a serious mental health condition that requires treatment, or acute infections.
Does my weight affect the donation decision by your hospital?
It depends. Most transplant centers have a BMI (body mass index) cutoff around 35. Transplant centers are different and some have pioneering techniques to handle this issue, so talk to your medical team.
Where does the actual kidney transplant surgery take place?
Either at a kidney transplant hospital near you approved by your medical team or Loyola Medical Center in the Chicago area.
How long does it take to recuperate from surgery?
Estimates range from 2-6 days in the hospital and 7-14 days recovery at home based on your overall health, lifestyle, job and other factors unique to you, as well as the type of surgery performed (i.e., laparoscopic and minimally invasive vs. traditional). Talk this over with your medical team because only they know the specifics of your situation. For background, read what Mayo Clinic and Stanford say about recuperation time.
How soon can I return to work after surgery?
Beyond the estimates above, the answer depends on whether you have an office job or a physically demanding job. Just don’t lift anything more than 10 pounds for 4 weeks after surgery. Keep in mind that Donor Shield will pay you up to 6 weeks of lost wages/salary. Here’s a video about that.
What about complications after surgery?
That’s extremely rare, but it's surgery and we’ve all heard stories about “the hospital made me sick.” In the unlikely event you experience any problem after surgery, your dedicated medical team will take care of you and my insurance and Donor Shield will pay 100% of all expenses.
Is there a negative emotional or psychological effect from kidney donation?
You may experience joy, sadness or neither after surgery. A lot depends on your mental health before surgery. If you need psychological support after surgery, those costs are 100% covered by the Donor Shield program.
After I donate, is my diet restricted?
No, unless you already had an existing dietary restriction before surgery.
DONOR BENEFITS
I linked my website with the Donor Shield Program which supports the National Kidney Registry. Donor Shield pays up to $12,000 for lost wages and up to $6,000 for out-of-pocket costs (including a companion, child/parent support). It also provides a lifetime kidney replacement guarantee with 100% medical coverage.
By clicking the button to start the donation evaluation process, you will be automatically enrolled in Donor Shield and receive all its benefits. For any questions about Donor Shield, see the Video resources on the last navigation tab or ask your Nurse Coordinator.
