Living Kidney Donation

Who Can Become a Living Kidney Donor?

Living organ donation is voluntary. You can stop or delay the process at any time. 

Living kidney donors can be relatives, close friends or even people who do not know the recipient. They should:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have normal kidney function
• Complete a medical, surgical and psychosocial evaluation
• Understand the risks and benefits of donation before giving consent

Donor Evaluation Process

The first step is to complete our confidential health questionnaire, which we will review. If you are a possible donor, we'll call you to schedule a health screening call with the living donor coordinator.

During your screening call, we will determine if you can move forward with the donor evaluation process, which consists of: 

• Blood and urine tests
• Imaging and diagnostic tests
• Evaluation appointment with our living donor team

These tests will help give us a better picture of your overall health.

You'll also need to complete routine health screenings with your primary care doctor, depending on your age and gender. These may include a pap smear, mammogram or colonoscopy. Based on your needs, you may also have to consult specialists.

Kidney Donation Options

Direct Donation

This is the most common type of living donation. You know the recipient, and you donate your kidney directly to them. Directed donations are often between blood relatives, like parents, siblings or children. They can also occur between people with close personal relationships, such as a spouse, friend, co-worker or acquaintance.

Paired Kidney Exchange

The paired exchange program typically involves two pairs of a recipient and a donor who are not compatible. The recipient in one pair is compatible with the donor in the other and vice versa. Working with the National Kidney Registry, a “swap” is arranged between the transplant centers where each donor donates a kidney to the recipient in the other pair. 

Kidney Donation Voucher Programs

The National Kidney Registry Voucher Program allows you to choose a convenient time frame for your donation surgery and provide one or more vouchers for your intended recipients if/when they need a kidney transplant.

• Standard voucher program: The standard voucher can be used if you have a family member or friend who needs a transplant in less than a year and you would like to donate sooner rather than later. This is also helpful if you plan on being your recipient’s caregiver. It allows you to heal before needing to take care of them.
• Altruistic donation/family voucher program: The family voucher can be used when you don't know anyone who will need a transplant in less than a year and you want to help others by starting a chain and donating your kidney to a stranger. You can list five family members or friends to receive the vouchers. Any one of them can claim the voucher when they need a kidney transplant. Once a voucher is claimed, the remaining ones are canceled.

Remote Donation

With remote donation, you can donate your kidney to a friend or family member who has their care at a transplant center outside of San Diego County. You can complete the evaluation and surgery at UC San Diego Health instead of traveling to your recipient's transplant center.

Remote donation is available for direct donation, paired exchange and the standard voucher programs.

• How remote donation saved San Diego resident's life

Living Donor Surgery

We have performed more than 4,000 transplants, including the first kidney transplant in San Diego.

Be prepared to take off at least six weeks from work for recovery. You cannot walk or lift more than 10 pounds during that time.

Your living donor surgery takes about four hours and is done laparoscopically. Expect to stay in the hospital for one to two days after your surgery.

We will help prepare you to take care of yourself after the donation. We will also coordinate your discharge and provide the support needed for recovery.

Living Kidney Donor Team

Donating a kidney is a big decision. You need to be honest with our transplant team about any fears and concerns. We will address your concerns and offer advice so you can decide what is best for you.

Our living donor team includes surgeons, nephrologists, infectious disease specialists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians, program coordinators and physical and occupational therapists. Our living donor advocate can provide medical, surgical and psychological support.