Considering Kidney Donation
Donating a kidney is a life-changing gift. It is also a major commitment that involves extensive testing, major surgery, and weeks of recovery. Living kidney donors go through the process outlined below.
Screening & Testing
Complete the Donor Care Network screening and medical history
45 Minutes
Center Will Contact You
+/- 3 Days
Complete standard workup
+/- 3 Days
From testing to donation
2-4 Months
Surgery & Recovery
*Most people can return to normal activities after 2 – 4 weeks. Donors with physically demanding jobs may need 4 – 6 weeks of recovery before returning to work. High-performance athletes will need 6 months to a year before they are back to pre-donation performance levels.
Complete pre-op
1 Day
Complete surgery
1-5 Hours
Recover in Hospital
1-4 Days
Refrain from flying
1 Weeks
Recover at home!
1-4 Weeks
When you’re ready to get started with the screening process, click the button below.
KIDNEY VOUCHER PROGRAM
The National Kidney Registry’s (NKR) Voucher program allows donors to donate their kidney many years before their intended recipient may need a kidney. Some Voucher donors have donated 20+ years before their intended recipient is expected to need a transplant with the hope that their intended recipient will never need a transplant. The Voucher program is a subset of the NKR Advanced Donation Program which began in 2011.
