At MU Health Care, living kidney donors help save lives — and we’re here to support you from your first call to full recovery.
If you’re considering donating a kidney, our team is here to support you through the entire process. We provide expert care and guidance, as well as individual advocates for each donor to ensure a safe and informed path to donation.
Living kidney donation can make a real difference for someone with kidney failure. Living donation often leads to better outcomes, shorter wait times (from years to months) and longer survival of the kidney after transplant (30+ years). But more importantly, it needs be the right decision for you, the donor. That’s where our team can help.
At MU Health Care, our Living Kidney Donor Program makes the process clear, thoughtful and focused on your well-being and health. We’ll take the time to get to know you, answer you questions and make sure donation, if right for you, feels comfortable.
If you choose to move forward with donating a kidney, you’ll not only have a dedicated team through evaluation, surgery and recovery, but also throughout your lifetime after donation.
Living Kidney Donor Program at MU Health Care
Becoming a kidney donor is a very personal decision. Whether you’re helping a loved one or someone you haven’t met, our team is at your side.
You can live a healthy life with one kidney. In fact, life expectancy after donation is the same as people with two kidneys — because one kidney is enough to meet the body’s needs.
People with end-stage renal disease, or ESRD, have two main treatment options:
- Dialysis
- A kidney transplant (from a deceased or living donor)
How Living Kidney Donors Make a Difference
Living donation is life-changing, both for the person receiving your kidney and for you.
Most people on the transplant list wait years for a kidney. By becoming a living donor, you could help them get one much sooner and possibly avoid dialysis altogether.
Living donor kidneys tend to start working right away, with better long-term outcomes. They also last longer and have higher success rates than kidneys from deceased donors.
Am I a Candidate to Be a Kidney Donor?
Becoming a living kidney donor is completely voluntary. You can change your mind at any time in the process — confidentially and without pressure.
You may be eligible to donate if:
- You’re between the ages of 18 and 70.
- You’re in good overall physical and mental health.
- You don’t have uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, certain infections or organ disease.
Gender and race are not factors in candidacy for becoming a living kidney donor. Even if your blood type doesn’t match, donation may still be possible through Kidney Paired Donation (KPD).
Our Approach to the Living Kidney Donor Program
At MU Health Care, we recognize the profound impact of kidney donation and are committed to supporting you throughout this journey.
Since 1972, we’ve performed more than 1,000 kidney transplants, with outcomes that consistently exceed national averages. Our average kidney transplant rejection rate is less than 10%, which is better than the national average of approximately 15%.
In recent years, we’ve also made recovery easier with shorter hospital stays and faster healing so you can return to your routine sooner.
Your Safety Comes First
Donor safety is our top priority. Before surgery, you’ll go through thorough testing — and retesting — to make sure you’re in good health and ready to donate.
Living kidney donation is generally safe, but like any major surgery, it comes with some risks. Although the risk level is low, donating a kidney may increase your chances of developing kidney failure later in life and having increased consequences from hypertension and diabetes.
If you’re planning to become pregnant, it is generally recommended to wait at least six months after donation to give your body time to heal.
Our Care Team Guides Every Step
From your initial consultation to post-donation follow-up care, we make sure your generous gift is honored and protected. Depending on your needs, your care team may include:
- Transplant surgeons
- Transplant nephrologists
- Pre- and post-transplant coordinators
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Registered dietitians
- Financial coordinators
- Living donor advocate
- Other transplant-trained specialists
What to Expect From Becoming a Living Kidney Donor
To help you make this important decision, we’ll walk you through every step:
- Getting started: The process begins when you let us know you’re interested in donating a kidney. You’ll complete a full evaluation, including medical tests and a psychological assessment, to make sure donation is safe and right for you.
- If you’re approved: You’ll be matched with a recipient and start preparing for surgery. Your transplant coordinator will support you through scheduling, logistics and what to expect.
- Staying healthy: Leading up to surgery, your overall health matters. Our team, which includes a registered dietitian, will provide nutrition and lifestyle tips to help you feel your best.
- Surgery and recovery: At MU Health Care, our experts typically perform donor surgery with advanced robotic techniques. This allows faster healing and fewer complications. Most donors go home less than three days after surgery. You can usually drive again in two weeks and return to your regular routine within four to six weeks.
- After donation: We’ll continue to check in on your recovery and overall well-being, and you’ll have access to ongoing support throughout your life.
- Costs and coverage: The recipient’s insurance typically covers your medical testing and surgery. You won’t pay for your care, but you may incur expenses related to time off work or travel. Some donors qualify for financial assistance through programs like the Missouri Kidney Program.
Why Choose MU Health Care for Living Kidney Donor Program
- A program built around you: Our Living Kidney Donor Program is designed with your safety, comfort and peace of mind in focus — from evaluation through recovery.
- Thorough screening for your protection: Before you donate, you’ll go through a complete medical and psychological evaluation to make sure donation is the right choice for you.
- Dedicated donor team: You’ll have a coordinator, advocate and care team to answer questions, provide guidance and support your well-being.
- Trusted experience: Our team has completed more than 1,000 kidney transplants since 1972. We bring decades of expertise and research-backed methods to every donor experience.
