FAQs
All information on this page is provided by the University of Washington’s Living Kidney Donor Program.
I am working primarily with the University of Washington Medicine Transplant team. This team has a stellar national transplant success record. In addition to the best doctors and facilities, they also have the highest standards for acceptance into their program. That means I have to be involved in maintaining my overall health, check in regularly for labs and health work-ups, and be disciplined about avoiding unhealthy activities.
They are even more strict about who they will accept as a living organ donor. You will not be accepted into the program unless they determine your health and longevity will not be compromised by the donation.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Just call the living donor phone line at 206.598.3627. We’ll do a brief phone interview and give you some information about the donation process. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Alternatively, you can start by visiting uw.donorscreen.org to start the brief intake screening form. A member from our team will contact you after completion to provide more information on the process and review your form. This is a non-binding process; you can change your mind at any time.
am i a match?
The results of three tests determine your level of match with your intended recipient:
Blood type
You must have a compatible blood type to donate directly to your intended recipient. If your blood types are not compatible, then donation is possible through the donor exchange program.
Crossmatch
A crossmatch combines the recipient’s blood cells and the donor’s blood cells to check for interaction. No interaction, or a negative crossmatch, is needed for transplant. If there is an interaction, or a positive crossmatch, then donation is possible through donor exchange. If there is a negative crossmatch, the evaluation process continues with tissue typing to determine antigen matching.
Tissue typing
This is a blood test that determines whether your tissue is compatible with your intended recipient. Because of advances in medicine, tissue matching is not as important as it was previously, so people who are not matched for any antigens may still donate with very successful outcomes for the recipient. Please note that results from these tests can take up to 10 to 14 business days to be received.
what is a paired kidney exchange?
If a kidney donor is not a match with their intended recipient because of differences like age, size, blood type or tissue mismatch, they can still help their recipient get a living donor by donating via paired exchange.
In this program, the donor gives their kidney to someone else and in return, their intended recipient receives a kidney from another donor who is a better match. This way, both patients get the kidney they need, even if the original donor and recipient weren't compatible.
After a donor and recipient are approved for transplant, they join a private registry that includes other pairs of donors and recipients who aren’t compatible with each other. A computer program then helps match these donors and recipients with others who are a better fit.
WHAT IF I DON’T LIVE IN THE SEATTLE AREA?
Initial testing can be done outside of the Seattle area. You will need to be seen at University of Washington Medical Center for one full day of testing in order to be approved as a donor. You will also need to return to the Seattle area for surgery and recovery.
Alternatively, if you live in a different state and do not wish to donate here, we can try and match you with a local center to facilitate local work up. If approved, we will coordinate with your center to have your kidney shipped to your intended recipient who will have surgery the same day. Shipping the kidney should not cause any decrease in success of the transplant.
Lastly, you can live in a different country. You must be able to travel on your own to Seattle for both work up and, if approved, an additional minimum of 2 weeks for surgery and recovery.
WHO PAYS FOR LIVING KIDNEY DONATION?
The Living Donor Program pays for appropriate testing ordered by the program. Please note that the recipient must be cleared financially and medically prior to proceeding with testing. Transportation costs and lost wages are not covered as a part of donation. However, the National Living Donor Assistance Center and the National Kidney Registry’s Donor Shield provides financial assistance for travel costs. Some people may be eligible for paid leave or disability through their employer. If you have questions about financial assistance, please contact the living donor phone line at 206.598.3627.
HOW LONG DOES THE EVALUATION PROCESS TAKE?
The process, from your initial inquiry to potentially being approved as a donor, takes approximately three to six months and depends upon the required tests, the test results and the recipient’s status. We will move at your preferred pace and evaluation can be stopped or paused at any time.
