Becoming a Living Kidney Donor
What is a living kidney donor?
Living kidney donors choose to donate one of their kidneys to someone whose kidneys are failing. A healthy donor may donate directly to a relative, a friend or a stranger in need of a kidney – if their blood types are compatible. And if their blood types are not a good match, alternatives such as a "paired exchange" (when two donors swap recipients) may be possible.
The surgical procedure used to remove a kidney in almost all cases is minimally invasive, and UCSF doctors have performed it hundreds of times since 1999. After surgery, your remaining kidney grows a little larger and does the same amount of work that two did. Living kidney donors have the same life expectancy, general health and kidney function as healthy people with two kidneys.
The gift of a kidney from a living donor gives patients a much shorter wait time for their new kidney, less risk of complications and a better chance in the long run for a successful transplant.
If you have questions or would like more information about becoming a living kidney donor, please send us an email at [email protected].
Am I eligible to donate?
To be evaluated as a potential kidney donor, you must be:
- 18 years and older (with the exception of emancipated minors)
- At or able to reach a BMI below 35 before surgery
- A nonsmoker or able to quit at least six weeks before surgery
- Not pregnant
- In good physical and mental health
- Able to understand the risks of surgery
- Able to follow instructions on preparing for and recovering from surgery
- Motivated by altruistic reasons
Next steps
Health questionnaire for kidney donors
To find out if you're a good candidate to become a kidney donor, fill out our quick, confidential health history questionnaire.
Informed consent for living kidney donors
Our informed consent materials will help you understand the process of becoming a donor.
Webinars for kidney donors
Living Kidney Donor Champion Series with Helen Christensen, Transplant Coordinator
Living Donation: Kidney Matching Options
Awards & recognition
Best in Northern California for gastroenterology & GI surgery
Rated high-performing hospital for kidney failure care
380+
Kidney transplants performed each year
More than 3,000 living donor kidney transplants performed
How kidney donation works
FAQ: Living Kidney Donor
Considering donating a kidney? Get answers to common questions, including the evaluation process, how to prepare for surgery and what to expect during recovery.
Laparoscopic Surgery for the Kidney Donor
Since UCSF began performing laparoscopic nephrectomies in 1999, almost all of our living donors have been able to donate their kidneys using this approach.
Transplant Screening Tests
If you need a kidney transplant, your doctor will do several blood tests to help match a donor kidney to your body. See a list of transplant blood tests we use.
Patient stories
An Organ Donor's Story: So Fulfilling, He Did it Twice
Jason McCluney gave the gift of life twice by donating a kidney and a portion of his liver to two complete strangers.
UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.