I Want to be a Living Donor - How Do I Start the Process?

Living donation is a wonderful act of generosity and courage, and the preferred alternative giving hope to people waiting for a deceased kidney or liver donation. It takes place when a living person chooses to give the ultimate gift of an organ donation to someone in need.

Are you a recipient looking for a living donor? Share this post with family and friends who may be interested in being your donor.

If you are want to be a donor for someone in need, your first step before deciding to is to learn everything you can about the process, surgery, and recovery. Our living donor toolkit will give you information about living donation and walk you through the decision process. The decision to be a living donor is a big one, and your decision to move forward should be carefully considered.

Once you have educated yourself and made the decision to pursue living donation at Mayo Clinic, your first step is to fill out our online Health History Questionnaire. Complete the form when you have adequate time to concentrate on each question. Completing the form on a desktop or laptop computer rather than a mobile device is recommended for ease and accuracy in completion. The form may ask you some personal questions related to your medical and social history. All your answers should be as truthful and accurate as possible to help our donor team better understand your current situation.

Once you have completed the form, the system will send it to our living donor team. If you qualify for donation, our nurse coordinators will contact you to provide you with more information. If you do not qualify for donation, the form will provide you with a notice on the screen and will not allow you to proceed with the questions. The donor team reviewing your information and caring for you is separate from the recipient teams. The donor nurse, doctors, and living donor advocate work with your best interests in mind. The recipient does not have access to your evaluation or your medical information.

Remember at any time during this process it is appropriate to ask questions or express your concerns. Our goal is to give you the best information and education available so you are able to make the most informed decision. You also have the option to withdraw from the evaluation at any point in the process. Your information and reasons for not proceeding are kept confidential.

As a living donor, you could be providing life to a recipient who otherwise would be waiting, sometimes for months or years, for a deceased donor organ. By donating you are also keeping that recipient off the deceased donor waiting list, freeing up an deceased donor organ for someone else in need. Mayo Clinic is thankful for all of our living and deceased donors and their families for making this decision for our patients.

Share with us below your biggest fear or concern with becoming a living donor. Have you been able to discuss your fears with your doctor?

HELPFUL LINKS

• Learn about liver transplant at Mayo Clinic.
• Learn about kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic.
• Explore Mayo’s Living Donor Program.
• Request an appointment.