The UCSD Center for Transplantation performed San Diego County’s first kidney transplant in 1968 and has since performed more than 2,000 kidney transplants on patients of all ages. In 1999, the UCSD kidney transplant program began using a new, less invasive technique for living kidney donation, using endoscopic instruments through very small incisions. In addition, UCSD’s clinical research programs are at the forefront of discovering new information on the biology of organ rejection, organ preservation and long-term medical management for transplant recipients.
Kidney transplantation is an effective treatment option for patients with end stage renal disease. The procedure offers patients a normal lifestyle free from kidney dialysis, EPO injections and blood transfusions. Kidney transplant patients also have fewer dietary restrictions and enjoy an enhanced feeling of well-being.
Read the Story of UCSD kidney transplant recipient Kevin Clark!
Options for Kidney Transplantation
Patients awaiting kidney transplantation might receive a donor kidney from one of two sources, cadaver donors or living kidney donors.
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Cadaver Donors
Cadaver donors are individuals who have suffered brain death (the irreversible and total loss of brain function) who made a previous decision to donate their organs to patients in need. Cadaver kidneys that are damaged or have a high probability of not working well are not accepted for transplantation. Donors with communicable diseases are not accepted. Kidneys from cadaver donors represent approximately 75 percent of the kidneys used for transplantation in the United States.
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Living Kidney Donors
With living kidney donation, a kidney is donated by a healthy living donor. Benefits of living kidney donation include:
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The procedure eliminates the need to wait for a compatible cadaver donor
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The transplant surgery is entirely elective and can be performed when the recipient is in optimal medical condition
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Graft survival rates are significantly increased
Living kidney donations can come from living related donors or emotionally related donors. Living related donors can be any healthy blood relative, ranked in the following order of preference:
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An identical twin
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A sibling, parent, or child over 18 years of age
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Another blood relative (half-sibling, niece, nephew, etc.)
Living emotionally related donors are not blood relatives and usually share no tissue similarities with the recipient. These donors may be spouses, in-laws or close friends of the patient.
Any kidney donor, whether a blood relative or not, must be blood type compatible and immunologically compatible with the recipient, have normal kidney function and be in good health.
How can I get more information?
We welcome any inquires about our program, as well as new referrals and self-referrals. Our program works closely with your current physicians to provide continuity of care and a team approach.
For more information, please call:
- Toll-Free: (888) UCSD-KD3
Give to UCSD Kidney Transplant Program
Your contribution directly supports promising research, critical treatment, training of new generations of physician and scientists and helps the UCSD Medical Center to study and successfully treat a broad range of diseases and disorders.
For more information about making a gift to the UCSD Medical Centers, call (619) 471-0485. We are grateful for your consideration.
The U.C. San Diego Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization designated by the Internal Revenue Service. Our Federal Tax ID number is 95-287-2494.