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.

Your response is greatly appreciated.

@luv2cusmile

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?

@jolinda

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.

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?

@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

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.

@luv2cusmile, It has been a while since you posted your question about whether a family member can do the initial blood work testing for living donation from out of state. I hope that your dad is doing well as he waits for his transplant.

Have you made contact with your dad's transplant center in Arizona? What did they tell you about how to arrange the Oregon to Arizona blood lab information?

@luv2cusmile When I was waiting for a liver transplant my daughter wanted to be my donor. I live in southern NH and my hospital is Mass General in Boston. My daughter lives in NYC. They said at Mass General that she could go through all of the qualifying testing at one of the NYC transplant center hospitals. Unfortunately it did not work out for her to be a donor.
JK

Hi, I am new to Mayo Connect, so I hope I am posting this on a place where I can receive a response.
An acquaintance of mine needs a kidney, and I am a possible donor in a very preliminary way, as our blood types match. Can someone give me an idea of what further tests are required for a kidney donation, and especially, would I likely have to travel to Mayo Rochester- my nearest transplant center-for the tests? I am a self-employed dairy farmer in west central Wisconsin, so travel is difficult. I would be grateful for any input. Thanks!

Hello Cowguy,
My cousin donated a kidney to me at Mayo last December. I am sure you would need initial blood work done locally with a kit sent from Mayo, as well a 24 urine test. If you pass those screenings, they would schedule many tests, some that could be held by zoom meetings. It would be best you call Mayo Transplant Center and ask them if that is where the transplant would take place. They will be eager to help. Different transplant centers have different requirements, but mostly they want to make sure you are healthy enough to donate. Your health will be a priority. You can actually learn quite a bit on their website. https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/transplant-center/living-donor-transplantation/gnc-20203911
Thank you for being willing to step up!
Jennifer

Thank you for the feedback! This whole process seems daunting, but I will persevere.