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Living Donation

Living organ donation is an act of altruism that reduces the wait time for patients in need of a life-saving kidney or liver.

Live donor kidney program 

There are many reasons why a transplant from a living donor may be the best option for a patient. Transplant outcomes are generally better with kidneys from living donors than for kidneys from deceased donors. With careful planning, a patient can avoid the need for dialysis and go straight to transplant from a living donor. 

Living donors are often related to the organ recipient, but they don’t have to be. Living donors can be siblings, parents, children, or relatives. A donor can also be a friend, relative through marriage, co-worker or a member of the recipient’s community.

Getting a living kidney transplant
If you have kidney disease, which will lead to kidney failure, a kidney transplant might be the best treatment for you. Finding a living donor at an early stage of your kidney disease may allow you to avoid dialysis completely.

Approaching potential donors can seem difficult. To support you through this process, talk to your kidney care team, and consider using some of the resources  below.

 
 


This step-by-step guide (PDF) gives an overview of the kidney transplant process. ‎


This guide (PDF) has information and ideas on how to find a living kidney donor.
 

 

This simple overview of materials on tools and ideas for how to find a living kidney donor.

 
This is a sample letter with key talking points about kidney donation. The letter is a way for you to be honest, open and genuine with people and share that you have kidney failure and need a transplant.

You can personalize it to fit your own story and share information that is important to you and that you are comfortable telling others.

Expense Reimbursement Program
The Living Organ Donation Expense Reimbursement Program (LODERP) is administered by the Kidney Foundation of Canada, to reimburse donors for eligible expenses that they may incur during the donation process. Some of these reimbursable expenses include:
  • Travel
  • Accommodations
  • Parking
  • Meals 
  • Potential loss of income

Learn more about LODERP.

Live donor liver program

In a live donor liver transplant, a portion of a liver is surgically removed from a live donor and transplanted into a recipient. Live donor liver transplantation is possible because the liver, unlike other organs, has the ability to regenerate or grow. 

For more details about live liver donation, contact the Vancouver General Hospital Living Donor Program. There is also more information in our Living Liver Donor Guide. 

Thinking of becoming a living kidney donor?
If you are an adult in BC,  you may choose to donate a kidney to someone you know, on behalf of someone you know, or you can donate anonymously. 

All living donation is managed through the appropriate programs at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) Pre-Assessment Transplant Clinics. The referral process includes pre-screening, laboratory and diagnostic testing, and evaluation by the transplant teams.

If you have questions about becoming a living donor or about the process, please contact the programs directly.

If you are thinking about donating one of your kidneys, we have resources and information to help.

 

 

This step-by-step guide (PDF) gives an overview of the kidney transplant process. ‎

 

This brochure from the Kidney Foundation has general information about living kidney donation. 

 

The Kidney Foundation of Canada (BC Branch) Living Donor Mentor Program is available for anyone who is considering being a living kidney donor to a recipient in BC or the Yukon.  This free, peer support program matches potential living donors with mentors who have already donated a kidney.

Expense Reimbursement Program
The Living Organ Donation Expense Reimbursement Program (LODERP) is administered by the Kidney Foundation of Canada, to reimburse donors for eligible expenses that they may incur during the donation process. Some of these reimbursable expenses include:
  • Travel
  • Accommodations
  • Parking
  • Meals 
  • Potential loss of income

Learn more about LODERP.

Live donor liver program

In a live donor liver transplant, a portion of a liver is surgically removed from a live donor and transplanted into a recipient. Live donor liver transplantation is possible because the liver, unlike other organs, has the ability to regenerate or grow. 

For more details about live liver donation, contact the Vancouver General Hospital Living Donor Program. There is also more information in our Living Liver Donor Guide. 


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