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What is the Living Donor Process Like?

Transplants | Last Active: Aug 9, 2021 | Replies (119)

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@mauraacro

Congratulations on making the decision to donate!
I had questions come up during my journey and called Mayo directly. From what I remember, a nurse/social worker will be the one you talk to initially, so that's who I would try to reach.
I don't know how it works when the recipient is family but Mayo would not give me any info on my recipient including other potential donors or her schedule until it was time for the surgery. Even then, they told me it was based on her surgeon's schedule.
Your sister still probably has a million tests that need to be done before surgery that will take time to schedule and complete. There could also be someone that is already testing as a donor for her. Or the social worker could be busy, which is great if you think about it.
While I was waiting for my full evaluation at Mayo, I got routine medical appointments done to save time in MN. I had a well check, mammogram and colonoscopy, as well as flu and tetanus shots. If you need those anyway, this waiting time is a good chance to get them done.
I had many random non medical questions, so feel free to ask me as I probably asked someone the same thing. Good luck!

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Replies to "Congratulations on making the decision to donate! I had questions come up during my journey and..."

@mauraacro I am so grateful to you for having shared your donor experience on Connect.

Remember when you first came to the community hoping to find a written account of someone's donor experience play-by-play. Back then there wasn't one, so you jumped right in and said, "I'll fix that and journal my experience for others." So incredible. And now you see how it is helping @ek101085 and countless others. You help answer those questions that people can't find in brochures or even the staff. It's the knowledge that only the people who have been there have.

EK - as you prepare to be a donor, I invite you to add your version of the journey to Mauro's. By collecting experiences, future donors will know better what to expect. Please add your journey here:

Kidney transplant – The Journey from the Donor's Side – https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-from-the-donor-side/