Article: Considering Living Kidney Donation

I received the following article in my email from The Transplant Experience, a public service arm of Astellas Pharm USA Inc. Their goal is not just self promotion; but to educate transplant patients about the confusing and extremely overwhelming information regarding transplants, lifestyles and the pharmaceuticals involved. They have great information, and I encourage you to visit their website at www.astellastransplant.com or at www.transplantexperience.com.

Exploring living donation If you are awaiting transplant, it is important to consider living donation and all the potential benefits it can bring. Benefits of living donation There are a number of reasons why transplantation from a living donor is often more successful than one from a deceased donor. By avoiding the wait associated with the transplant list, recipients undergoing this procedure tend to be in better health upon receiving their new organ.1 A critical benefit of living donation is timing. Surgery can be scheduled during a time that is convenient for the donor and transplant recipient.2 Because recipient and donor surgeries are performed in parallel, the kidney will be healthier, more viable, and more likely to function immediately after transplantation.3 Perhaps this is why, according to the US Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), 10-year success rates for people who have received a kidney through living donation are approximately 10% higher than for those who have received a kidney from a deceased donor.4 Getting a living donor There are many ways to approach the process of living donation. Donations can be made by a blood relative, a friend, or even a Good Samaritan who wants to enrich, and possibly save, the life of someone in need.5 Once a person is selected, a series of tests will be conducted to see if the donated organ will be compatible with your body.
Approaching potential donors Many people may volunteer to donate their organ(s) to help a family member or person in need. Asking for this help, however, may be challenging. Here are a few suggestions8: • Make the need for an organ transplant known to all family members and close friends • Share information about the advantages of living donation • Consider the potential donor's personality and the best way to approach him or her • Assure the potential donor that there is no obligation and that his or her decision will in no way affect your relationship in a negative manner • Allow time for the potential donor to make his or her decision and to consider all aspects of the procedure • Don't pressure the potential donor into saying yes—if the initial decision is no, then leave it at that One of the best things to do when considering talking to someone about organ donation is to offer education. Read the "Sharing Life" brochure, and share it with your prospective donor. Visit www.transplantexperience.com and download the brochure from the support section of the site, or click on the Learn More button below.