Living Donation adds to the existing organ supply, increasing the chances of saving more lives. Making the decision to be a Living Donor is a personal choice and gives an individual the opportunity to save a life while still living. One in four Living Donors are not related to the organ recipient. An individual does not need to know someone personally in order to donate. Living Donors offer an alternate option for individuals waiting to receive a transplant from a deceased donor.
What can a living donor donate?
- Living Donors are able to donate the following:
- One Kidney
- One Lung
- Portion of Liver
- Portion of Pancreas
- Portion of Intestine
Types of Living Donation
- Directed Donation
- The living donor knows the recipient and specifically donates an organ to them.
- Non-Directed Donation
- The living donor is not related or is unknown by the recipient.
- Paired Donation
- Involves living kidney donors and their transplant candidates who are not a good match. The candidates “trade” donors so that each candidate receives a kidney from a compatible donor.
- Donor Chains
- A chain helps a group of kidney patients who have healthy living donors that are not a match. The whole group or “chain” of kidney patients benefit from swapping living donors.
Who Can Donate?
Any individual 18 years of age or older has the potential to be a living donor. Individuals wanting to become a living donor should research and learn as much as possible about living donation before contacting their nearest transplant center or the recipients transplant center (if known). The transplant center will conduct testing to determine if an individual is healthy and eligible to become a living donor candidate. Additional information can be found at:
How to Start
To make a direct, paired, or chain donation, talk to the wait list candidate and their transplant program staff. For a non-direct donation, contact the nearest transplant center to verify eligibility. Click here for a list of Missouri transplant centers and programs.