Becoming a Living Liver Donor
What is a living liver donor?
A living liver donor is someone who donates part of their liver while still alive. This is possible because the liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate. If you donate a portion of your liver (typically 40 to 60%), the remaining liver tissue begins growing almost immediately. Within eight weeks, both your liver and the portion you donated will be nearly full-size. They'll keep growing slowly over the coming year until they've completely regenerated.
You can give this incredible gift to a relative, a friend or even a stranger, so long as you and the recipient have compatible blood types.
Why is living liver donation important?
To someone in liver failure, receiving a liver transplant can be lifesaving. A number of conditions can lead to liver failure, including liver cancer, hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Thousands of liver failure patients in the U.S. are on the waiting list to receive a transplant from a deceased donor. Some will die before they're able to get one. Patients with a living donor have a much shorter wait time and a better chance of a successful transplant.
If you have questions or would like more information about becoming a living liver donor, please send us an email.
Contact Links
Downloadable resources
Next steps
Informed consent for living liver donors
Our informed consent materials will help you understand the process of becoming a donor.
Health questionnaire for liver donors
To find out if you're a good candidate to become a liver donor, fill out our quick, confidential health history questionnaire.
Webinar for living donors
Living liver donor champion series with Finesse Louie, Transplant Coordinator
Awards & recognition
Best in Northern California for gastroenterology & GI surgery
#2
in the West for number of living donor liver transplants performed
More than 390 living donor liver transplants performed
Designated center of excellence
How liver donation works
Evaluation to be a Living Liver Donor
Learn about the living liver donor evaluation process, including evaluation steps, timelines, insurance coverage and more.
FAQ: Living Liver Donor
Considering becoming a living liver donor? Get answers to common questions, including the evaluation process and what to consider before donating.
After Living Liver Donor Surgery
Find out what to expect following living liver donor surgery, including information about your hospital stay, pain management and when you can eat and drink.
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.