Living Kidney Donors Network

Benefits of a Living Donor Compared to a Deceased Donor

There are many benefits to a living donor verses one from a deceased donor. The most significant ones are:

• Living donation eliminates the need to wait for a kidney from a deceased donor.
• A kidney from a living donor lasts on average twice as long as one from a deceased donor.

Additional benefits are:

• Waiting for a deceased donor kidney significantly increases the likelihood of your needing kidney dialysis and avoiding dialysis improves the outcomes of a kidney transplant.
• You know the donor, his/her lifestyle choices and history.
• The kidneys almost always start functioning immediately. In approximately 30% of deceased donor transplants it can take from a few days up to a few weeks for the new kidney to start to function, commonly referred to as a sleepy kidney. This can have a negative impact on the long-term function of the kidney.
• You are not taking up a spot on the waiting list so it shortens the waiting time for others.
• The longer someone is on dialysis their health deteriorates.
• You have time to plan for the transplant.
• Waiting for a deceased donor can be very stressful.
• The surgery can be scheduled at a mutually-agreed upon time rather than performed as an emergency operation.
• Perhaps the most important aspect of living donation is the psychological benefit. The recipient can experience positive feelings knowing that the gift came from someone who care to help them in a time of significant need. The donor experiences the satisfaction of knowing that he or she has contributed to the improved health of the recipient.