What is a Living Kidney Donor?
We accept adults who are willing to donate one of their kidneys to one of our pediatric patients. You can be a directed kidney donor, meaning you are willing to donate to a particular recipient only. We also accept non-directed or altruistic kidney donors, meaning you are willing to donate to any of our pediatric recipients.
Directed Kidney Donor Guidelines
- You must be between the ages of 18-50 years old.
- Your body mass index (BMI) must be more than 18 and less than 35. A BMI calculator can be used to determine your BMI.
- We prefer that your blood type be compatible with your recipient. If it isn’t, you can enter the National Kidney Registry (NKR) with your recipient. If approved for living donation, you and your recipient are entered into the NKR in an attempt to find a compatible pair to do a swap. In other words, you would donate your kidney to someone else’s recipient, and their donor would donate to yours. There are no guarantees that a match will be found.
***Note: these guidelines are very strict. There are NO EXCEPTIONS!
Kidney Donor Absolute Contraindications
You cannot have any personal history of any of the conditions listed below:
- Cancer (past or present)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure that is treated with medicine
- Hepatitis (past or present)
- HIV
- Terminal illness
- Active substance abuse disorder
- Coercion or receiving money to donate your organ
- Untreated acute infection
- Active pregnancy
- Any history of cysts or stones in the kidney
Other Problems That May Prevent Living Kidney Donation
- Personal or family history of bleeding or clotting disorders
- Serious reactions to anesthesia in the past
- History of anxiety or depression
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Directed Kidney Donor Process
- Complete the online DASH Form (health screening)
- Health screening information will be entered into computer system
- Initial phone call with Living Donor Coordinator:
- information given about our process
- kidney donor selection guidelines
- contraindications
- basic information about surgery and follow-up care
- Phone call with independent living donor advocate
- brief psychosocial assessment
- Initial labs-CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), hgb A1C (hemoglobin A1C), and tissue typing
- CTA scan
- Transplant evaluations and consults (must come to Cincinnati Children’s for two days of appointments):
- medical evaluation with adult nephrologist (includes fasting labs, chest x-ray, and EKG)
- surgical consult
- psychosocial evaluation
- psychological evaluation
- dietary consult
- anesthesia consult
- education with living donor coordinator (informed consent reviewed, post-operative expectations, plan moving forward)
- Must be medically, psychosocially, surgically and psychologically approved
- Formally discussed at our monthly donor selection meeting
- If approved, transplant date will be scheduled
Additional Non-Directed or Donor Selection Guidelines
- You must be between the ages of 21-50 years old.
- Your body mass index (BMI) must be more than 18 and less than 35. A BMI calculator can be used to determine your BMI.
***Note: these guidelines are very strict. There are NO EXCEPTIONS!
Non-Directed or Altruistic Kidney Donor Process
- Complete the online DASH Form (health screening)
- Health screening information will be entered into a computer system
- Initial phone call with Living Donor Coordinator:
- information given about our process
- kidney donor selection guidelines
- contraindications
- basic information about surgery and follow-up care
- Phone call with Independent Living Donor Advocate
- brief psychosocial assessment
- brief psychosocial history
- Initial labs-CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), hgb A1C (hemoglobin A1C), and ABO
- Must come to Cincinnati Children’s for:
- psychosocial evaluation (reviews informed consent)
- psychological evaluation
- CTA scan
- Transplant evaluations and consults (must come to Cincinnati Children’s for one to two days of appointments):
- medical evaluation with adult transplant nephrologist (includes fasting labs, chest x-ray, and EKG)
- surgical consult
- dietary consult
- anesthesia consult
- education with living donor coordinator (informed consent reviewed, post-operative expectations, plan moving forward)
- Must be medically, psychosocially, surgically and psychologically approved
- Formally discussed at our monthly donor selection meeting
- If approved, the transplant date will be scheduled
Medical Expenses
- All medical costs are covered under the recipient’s insurance for all the required testing
- Do not submit your health insurance card for anything
- All donor candidates are given donor billing instructions
Travel Expenses
The National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) may cover associated costs for travel to Cincinnati Children’s (for evaluation and transplant)
- Must meet their criteria to qualify
- ILDA (Independent Living Donor Advocate) can give you more information if interested
Other Expenses / Lost Wages
- Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) offers the option of fundraising to help with expenses associated with living donation:
- Lost wages, ongoing household expenses, child care, etc.
- Food, lodging, fuel, etc.
- Option for those that don’t qualify for NLDAC assistance
- If interested, you will be connected with a COTA representative for assistance
If you have questions, email txlivingdonor@cchmc.org.
