What ways you can help when you can’t be a living donor?

Imagine, you've volunteered to be a living donor. It's a big decision. You're excited. You're nervous. You feel good because you're about to give the gift of life! But for some reason beyond your control, you’re declined and unable to be a living donor. Now the emotions take a big swing in the other direction. Disappointment. Perhaps anger. And a sense of loss. You really wanted to give.

Are there other ways you can help someone who needs a transplant?

The Mayo Clinic writing team is writing an article to support people who are not able to be a living donor. They would like to hear from you.

• Are you someone who wanted to be a living donor, but couldn't? What ways were you able to help instead?
• Are you a transplant recipient? What support did you find helpful from others who couldn't be your living donor?
• Are you a caregiver or family member of someone who needs or needed a transplant, but you couldn't be the donor? What things did you do that helped you to help?