The Kidney Donation Process
Quickly tell me the testing and evaluation steps I need to take so I can be considered as a potential donor
Here's the most concise explanation based on feedback from volunteers who shared their experience with me.
1. Complete Donor Survey and Medical History (10 mins).
2. Wait for Loyola nurse to call you with questions and testing instructions (2-3 days)
3. Do Bloodwork (1-2 hours)
4. Other possible tests: chest X-ray, CT scan, EKG, gynecological, colonoscopy (1-2 days)
5. If approved, meet with 10-person medical team assigned to you for extensive Q&A, psychosocial and financial/insurance evaluation (1/2 day)
It takes about 2 calendar days of your time. Between scheduling your bloodwork, tests and analysis of your results by hospital staff, the process can be as short as one month or as long as six months. To save time, you can request Loyola conduct ALL tests in one DAY :-). Or, you can spread things out longer to fit your schedule.
How do I check if I’m qualified to donate?
First, click this Donor Survey. It takes 10 minutes max.
Second, next steps include evaluation of your medical history, labs and tests... and it's super rigorous for your own good. Nobody, including me, wants to put a donor at risk, so your health will be evaluated from a current and future perspective with state-of-the-art testing methods.
Since Loyola is part of the Donor Care Network, you can request that Loyola organize the entire standard donor workup in 1 day and then schedule additional tests, if required, at your own convenience.
Who guides me through the process?
A 10-person medical team from Loyola, provided to you free of charge, will guide you step-by-step through the process. The members of your medical team include: 1) transplant doctor, 2) transplant surgeon, 3) nurse coordinator, 4) nurse practitioner, 5) living donor advocate, 6) clinical pharmacist, 7) dietician, 8) financial coordinator, 9) psychologist, and 10) social worker.
Where do I get evaluated and tested?
The initial 10-minute survey and medical history are done online and over the phone. If you pass, you will be tested at 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 it be done at your home or work instead of a hospital.
If you live near Chicago, Loyola will help arrange all labs and testing in one day.
Can you describe the overall process and timeline more specifically?
The process takes 1-2 days of your time but 4-6 weeks overall from beginning to end due to the time it takes Loyola to analyze and discuss your overall case. I'm sorry it's not faster, but the entire process is built to protect the living donor.
Here’s a quick overview of the entire process I put together from various sources, including feedback from 12 donors, Loyola, Mayo Clinic, National Kidney Foundation (most detailed list click here) and the Donor Care Network:
* Questionnaire – your current health, medical history and family history
* Tests - blood and urine, imaging, physical exam, heart and lung, blood pressure, ultrasound of kidneys, antibody tests (proteins in blood that protect you for foreign things)
* Cancer screenings - colonoscopy, mammogram, pap smear, prostate blood test
* Dental exam (surprised me... a cavity can kill a kidney)
* Medical scans - CAT, chest x-ray, EKG
* Financial/Insurance counseling - Loyola's financial counselors help you understand ALL resources available to you, such as financial compensation for time off work, out-of-pocket expenses and medical coverage SO YOU DON'T PAY A DIME
I have Type 2 Diabetes. Can I still donate?
Yes. The national policy allows people with Type 2 diabetes to donate a kidney. However, just like with any potential donor, you will be screened for any evidence of organ damage or an unacceptable lifetime risk of complications. Donors with Type 2 Diabetes must meet these criteria:
Be age 60 or older.
Have well-controlled diabetes and not use insulin.
If over age 65, can be using up to two oral medications for diabetes.
Not be overweight (see FAQ below on this topic)
Have no family history of kidney disease.
Undergo a rigorous health assessment and individualized risk evaluation.
What Financial and Medical Benefits Do I Get For Donating My Kidney?
In a word - HUGE. This site is linked to the Donor Shield Program which is backed by the National Kidney Registry - the largest paired-exchange kidney program in the world. Here are the benefits:
COMPENSATION. Donor Shield pays $2,000/week up to 6 weeks of lost wages and a maximum of $12,000. Most donors are out of work 1-2 weeks. Donor Shield pays up to $6,000 for out of pocket costs, such as travel and lodging for you and a companion, and daycare for children and parents.
LIFETIME KIDNEY GUARANTEE. Donor Shield provides a lifetime kidney guarantee for your remaining kidney. Yes, forever. That means you go to "the front of the line" and get a new living donor kidney at no cost. As background, the National Kidney Registry reports that none of the 6,000+ donors in its system have returned for a kidney transplant.
100% INSURANCE COVERAGE. Donor Shield and Aetna (my insurance) pay 100% of your medical expenses, including testing, scans, evaluation, surgery and after care for 90 days. If you have complications after surgery, which is extremely rare, Donor Shield pays 100% of your medical expenses without time limitation.
Click here to go to the 10-minute evaluation form to become a potential donor.
Why do you use Loyola in Chicago as your transplant hospital?
1) Quality - Loyola is part of the Donor Care Network (i.e., zero deaths over past 10 years). They have the most advanced surgical techniques and the best medical staff.
2) Donor Benefits - Loyola is the ONLY hospital in the Chicago area - where I live - that offers the lifetime kidney guarantee, financial compensation and 100% medical coverage from the National Kidney Registry's Donor Shield Program!
3) Safety Record - Loyola has performed 300+ laparoscopic kidney transplants in the past 5 years without incident. A laparoscopic surgery simply means the surgeon uses several small incisions in your abdomen using surgical instruments and a long, thin tube with a camera at the end (laparoscope). This is often referred to as a minimally invasive
Do I need to be a family member or exact “blood match” with the patient?
No – donors can be family members or unrelated strangers. I'm blood type "O Positive" which means I need an "O Positive" donor. 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.
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 say strongly enough how comprehensive your evaluation will be. 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, some types of diabetes, current cancer (not previous), HIV, hepatitis, high cholesterol, a serious mental health condition that requires treatment, or acute infections.
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 include 1-3 nights in the hospital and 7-14 days recovery at home based on your overall health, lifestyle, job requirements 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?