URGENT MESSAGE
Michelle’s Angels Seek Kidney Donors
“Once you are on the Kidney Transplant waitlist, it may take 3 -5 years before we identify a suitable donor for you. After all, there are nearly 83,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant.” This is why we pray. Without everyone’s help in identifying a potential donor, these 83,000 people will be facing great uncertainty about their future.
If you are reading this plea, you must have many questions. We’ve attempted to answer your questions below in the FAQ section of this document. And you don’t have to be a relative to be compatible. Yes, there are requirements and not every willing donor is able to donate. But we won’t know if you or someone you know is compatible unless you allow yourself to be screened. Screening is performed by a simple blood test performed in your own hometown or community free-of-charge.
Potential donors have much to consider and are encouraged to discuss your decision with your family since family concent may be necessary at the time of donation.
Please share this with all you come into contact.
God Bless You for Caring About Others
KIDNEY DONOR
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Q? HOW OLD MUST A DONOR BE?
ANS: At least 18 years old.
Q? DOES A DONOR HAVE TO BE RELATED OR BE THE SAME BLOOD TYPE AS THE RECIPIENT?
ANS: Donors do not have to be related. Many of our donors are spouses or friends. The donors do not have to be the same blood type, but they must be a “compatible” blood type. Your local Nephrology Association or Kidney specialist can determine whether or not a donor has a “compatible” blood type.
Q? HOW WOULD THE PROCEDURE AFFECT ME?
ANS: Donation does not restrict or interfere with your lifestyle. After a period of recovery, you may gradually return to your normal activities and work.
Q? BY DONATING A KIDNEY, DO I INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF GETTING KIDNEY DISEASE?
ANS: Kidney donation does not increase the chance of getting kidney disease. The remaining kidney will grow and maintain daily function.
Q? WHAT OTHER TESTS WILL BE REQUIRED?
ANS: Once the recipient has been cleared for transplant, they will have a complete evaluation to see if they can be a donor. This includes the following:
DONOR SCREEN
- No high blood pressure
- No diabetes
- No heart disease
- No kidney disease
- No communicable diseases (Hepatitis, HIV, etc.)
- No cancer
- No obesity
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Smoking cessation (at least 4 weeks prior to surgery)
BLOOD COLLECTION FOR:
- Blood type
- Genetic type
- Crossmatch (a check to see if the recipient’s blood will react to the donor’s blood)
MEDICAL
- Chest X-RAY
- EKG
- Urine collection
- Blood tests
- Physical exam
- Psychosocial exam
- X-RAY of the kidneys
(The above tests can be completed at the transplant center or arrangements can be made with your transplant coordinator to have them performed in the donor’s hometown.)
Q? WHAT HAPPENS IF MY BLOOD TEST SHOWS THAT I AM COMPATIBLE?
ANS: Once you are informed of your blood test results (5-7 days), then everyone will await the completion and approval of the recipients medical/psychosocial evaluation. Once the recipient is completed and found to be a good candidate, we will begin the evaluation of the donor.
Q? WHAT IF THERE ARE SEVERAL DONORS?
ANS: We will check for compatibility for up to four donors per recipient. Once we determine who is compatible, it will be the family’s choice who will be the primary person to go through the donor evaluation.
Q? WILL I BE THE ONLY ONE CONTACTED WITH MY COMPATIBILITY RESULTS?
ANS: The donor (you) will be the only person contacted with any medical results unless there is a signed consent approving release of information to the recipient.
Q? HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THE TRANSPLANT TO HAPPEN?
ANS: The time varies for each patient (recipient, donor) due to the amount of testing that is required. Once the recipient has completed testing, then the evaluation of the donor should take no longer than a week to get results processed. Once both recipient and donor are approved for surgery, a surgical date can be planned.
Q? WHO DECIDES ON WHETHER THE RECIPIENT AND DONOR ARE GOOD CANDIDATES?
ANS: The Transplant Team is usually composed of Transplant Surgeons, Nephrologists, Psychologist, Transplant Nurses, Social Workers, Dietician, and the Living Donor Advocate. This Team meets every Monday to discuss the patient’s evaluation results and whether they are a good candidate for transplant or donation.
Q? WILL YOUNG FEMALE DONORS BE ABLE TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE?
ANS: Yes. Females of childbearing age can have children following kidney donation. They will need to inform their Doctors of their history of kidney donation and be followed closely. A female donor’s sexual capabilities will remain unchanged.
Q? WILL THE DONOR HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING?
ANS: The donor evaluation and surgery will be covered by the recipient’s insurance in most cases. The only areas not covered would be travel, lost wages from time away from work, or any non-medical costs related to time away from home or work.
Q? CAN DONORS WITH DIABETES OR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE DONATE?
ANS: Donors with Diabetes or High Blood pressure are not capable of being donors due to the effects of these diseases on the kidneys.
Q? WILL I FEEL DIFFERENT FOLLOWING DONATION?
ANS: Following donation and recovery you should feel no different than you did prior to your surgery. Sometimes the recovery process can take time, but normal activity should resume. There should be no changes in frequency of urination.
Q? WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE A PROBLEM RELATED TO THE KIDNEY DONATION?
ANS: At any point, if you have a medical problem “directly related to the kidney donation,” immediately contact the transplant center. Regardless of the amount of time since your donation, the transplant center can direct you and provide care or direct you to a location that is familiar with the process.
Q? WHAT PROCEDURE IS USED DURING SURGERY? WHO DECIDES WHICH ONE IS USED?
ANS: A donor’s kidney can be removed using one of two surgical techniques. The first option is laparoscopically which means the kidney is taken out of a small hole in the abdominal area. The tradition option is the open incision procedure. With this technique the kidney is removed through a 10-12 inch incision located near the waistline. Your surgeon during your evaluation at the transplant center will go over both techniques, describe the risks and benefits with each, and determine which one you would be most suitable for.
Q? HOW LONG WILL I BE OFF WORK?
ANS: Depending on the procedure, most donors return to a normal schedule within 2-4 weeks.
Q? WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?
ANS: If at any time you change your mind, the team will help you make a confidential withdrawal from the procedure.
Lingering Questions: Call your local Kidney Association, Nephrology Association or Organ Transplant medical office.