Can a family member do the initial blood work testing from out of state to see if they’re a good match, or must this be done in the same state as the patient?
Liked by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
I've even known patients where their living donor's organ was flown in from a different state. Lots of possibilities.
Just curious…what type of transplant are you hoping for?
I did all of my blood & urine samples pre and post surgery from Oregon & shipped through FedX to Minnesota. There was even a paid shipping label in the box. i think I had to buy dry ice twice for the urine samples but in such a small amount they gave it to me for free.
Liked by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
Wonderful information. I, too am in Oregon. My father is in Arizona, and is being seen at their facility. Did you have your specimens collected at your private physicians office, or is there a particular place this needs to be done at?
Liked by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
@luv2cusmile Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am also in Oregon, and use Quest Labs.
It's a big decision to step up to be a donor. You may want to look in the rest of the transplant group discussions, where you will find information about being a living donor from the donor's perspective.
Ginger
Liked by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
My insurance company has a quick clinic, maybe similar to Zoom Care, where they immunize, do blood draws & well check visits. I went there because there isn't a copay but don't remember being directed to any particular place.
Mayo does pay for all transplant related visits but because my blood draws were already free, I don't know how billing for that works. Depending on your age, Mayo will want you to get your routine visits, shots, mammogram, colonoscopy done before surgery so if you schedule any of those, you could check with your Dr about doing a few blood draws.
I'm excited for you taking this step, what a gift! I am also a bit jealous that you would donate in AZ, MN in January was no joke.
@jolinda
Hi @luv2cusmile
My donors were sent small boxes which they took to their local lab for their blood draws and the boxes were then mailed in. They really could have been anywhere in the country.
Liked by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor, Ginger, Volunteer Mentor