Top Donor Concerns
Will donating a kidney shorten my life?
Not one day! Research proves that kidney donors live longer than the general population. “Studies show that people who donate a kidney outlive the average population.” In fact, “20 years after donating, 85% of kidney donors are still alive, compared to the expected 66% (i.e., without kidney surgery).”
Why? Possible explanations include 1) the altruistic act of saving a life and the happiness and satisfaction that follows and 2) “selection bias” since only healthy people screened to be a living donor are approved.
Do people die from donating a kidney?
Almost never. Watch this video. According to kidneyregistry.org, the mortality rate is 7 deaths for every 100,000 surgeries. Let's put that in context. You are 80 times more likely to die from simply being born according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention which states “the 2019 infant mortality rate in the United States was 558 in 100,000.” You are 2,800 times more likely to die from an appendectomy. I'm not saying donating a kidney is riskless, but the odds are incredibly small.
I heard that someone "guarantees" my remaining kidney. Is that true?
Yes! You get a lifetime guarantee on your remaining kidney. So, if anything happens to your remaining kidney - for whatever reason and at any time in the future - you'll go to "the front of the line" for a new living donor kidney. And the cost is covered 100% by Donor Shield.
What happens to my remaining kidney after surgery?
Your remaining kidney takes over and does the work of two kidneys. While most of us are born with two kidneys, we only need one to live and that’s not rare. In fact, about 1 in 750 people only have one kidney due to an issue at birth, an accident, or removal due to cancer – and there’s no difference in their life span vis-à-vis the general population.
How will my life change with one kidney?
Hardly at all, except for recovery time after surgery which is based on your health, age and other factors. After surgery, your medical team will schedule preventive medical checks, urine tests, blood pressure checks, and kidney function tests – all covered 100% by my insurance.
Are there any other risks to my overall health from surgery?
Almost none. First, you are screened upfront for comorbidities, or any physical, emotional, financial or mental health risk based on extensive testing by a team of medical professionals. You will be removed from consideration as a donor if ANY risk is discovered. Second, no donor has ever reported a loss of kidney function after surgery. Third, as an indication of health risks perceived by donors who completed surgery: “99 percent of donors say they would recommend living kidney donation.”
Financially, I can't afford time off work, out-of-pocket costs or medical costs.
You are paid up to $12,000 for 6 weeks of lost salary and $6,000 for out-of-pocket expenses (including a caregiver for you, a child or parent if necessary) through the Donor Shield program. This is helpful so you don't have to use vacation time. My insurance pays for 100% of your medical expenses.
I'm afraid that donating a kidney could affect my job or insurance.
First, that's against Federal and Illinois law and most companies wouldn't risk the public backlash over it. Second, your medical team includes a financial counselor and social worker who will work through these issues with you. However, just in case some jerk messes with you, Donor Shield provides free legal support.
There are several Federal and State laws that prohibit job discrimination, denial of insurance coverage or price increases for health, disability, life and long-term care insurance.
Federal Laws
The Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) “protects the job security of living donors.” See article by National Kidney Foundation, “Job Security for Living Organ Donation Guaranteed under Family and Medical Leave Act.”
The Living Donor Protection Act outlaws any form of insurance discrimination of kidney donors and specifically prohibits “denial of coverage or increase in premiums of life or disability insurance for living organ donors.”
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits health insurance companies from denying coverage or charging more to people with pre-existing conditions
State Laws
The Illinois Organ Donor Leave Act states “an employee may not be required to use accumulated sick or vacation leave time before being eligible for organ donor leave.”
The Illinois House Bill 2847 “prohibits employers from retaliating against an employee for requesting or obtaining a leave of absence to undergo an organ donation and prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums or rates for living donors for disability, life and long-term care insurance.”
Click here for kidney donation laws for all states