Organ donation is becoming populationmore prevalent. With the rise in co-morbidities (i.e. diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, etc...) and an aging kidney failure is on the rise. The following information is a compilation of my own first-hand knowledge and educational (reputable)websites. I will do my best to link this page to them.
Organs for donation are procured from two types of donors -- deceased and living. My own experience lends itself to living donation, so thtat's the info I'll supply.
What is living donation?
Living donation takes place when a living person donates an organ (or part of an organ) for transplantation to another person. The living donor can be a family member, such as a parent, child, brother or sister (living related donation).Living donation can also come from someone who is emotionally related to the recipient, such as a good friend, spouse or an in-law (living unrelated donation).
In some cases, living donation may even be from a stranger, which is called nondirected donation.Living Donor Info
To the best of my understanding -- a living donor is the most preferred method of organ procurement. As my surgeon explains it, a living donor organ is "perfect" -- the donor that passes the tests put forth and eventrually donates is in pristine health. A deceased donated organ is less perfect, b/c it has had "lag" time -- time for procurement and transport and the donor's health history is not scrutinized at such a micro-level.
The first step for any interested person, pursuing the prospect of donating an organ is to fill out a multi-page health survey. The questionnaire provides health providers a basic way to eliminate any questionable candidates.
What eliminates your cchances of being a donor? A health history that includes diabetes, high blood pressure, an extremely elevated BMI (body mass index) (with no willingness to lose weight) or a BMI less than 18.
If you pass the initial question phase -- a blood test is obtained to establish the potenial donor and recipient. I am B positive, other blood types include AB,A, and O. The blood types that match with B+ include B+, O, and certain persons with A+.
If your blood type is a match to the recipient, more extensive blood work is done. This tests for possible transferable illnesses (i.e. CMV, HIV, Hepatitis, etc...) and it also evaluates the antigen matches. There are 6 antigens with the possibility of matching. Since ten years ago, when I was first transplanted -- the use of antigen matching is largely overlooked -- I'm told that the worst antigen match (i.e. 1/6) from a living donor is better than the best antigen match
(i.e 6/6) from a deceased donor.
After all the lab work, if a person is still "in the running" they have some routine "preop" testing. Chest x-ray, EKG, and IVP (this is a test to evaluate the flow of urine from kidneys to ureters to bladder -- it evaluates the anatomical structures and appropriate functioning). Usually the results are aquired within 24 hours and the specific donor nurse coordinator will contact you with results. After a surgeon makes the final analysis you will receive the news that you are either still a candidate, or you're results are incompatible with donating.
Unless, your anatomy cannot be clearly viewed with the previous tests -- one of the final tests includes a psychiatric evaluation and an MRI/MRA of the kidneys.
There is a lot of effort put forth by the transplant team (and mandated by government powers that be) to avoid even the appearance of coerscion (sp?). The potential donor and recient are cared for by different staff members. Privacy is maintained throuhout. In fact, this has been a bit of a frustration to me -- b/c my nurse cannot tell me who has offered to donate, who's a match or any other pieces of info that would put pt. info in jeopardy. The potential donor is welcome to share this info with the recipient if they are comfortable to do so. One very nice thing about the anonymity, is that it lessens the pressure a potential donor may feel. I, as the recipient will know only as much as you, the donor would choose to share. The psych eval assesses the donor's mental status and evaluates their motivation for wanting to give such a large gift of themselves.
Finally, if you've passed all the above testing (which sounds like a lot, but actually most can be done within 2-3 visits) and still feel strongly about giving - you will meet with the transplant surgeon and nephrologist. Then comes the actual procedure. Most donors are able to have their kidney removed laparoscopically (3-4 tiny incisions) and the average donor is ready to return to normal activity within 2 weeks post-procedure.
Each donor will have a few follow-up appts. b/c the donor's health is just as important as the recipients and is treated as so.
So thats the process.... its pretty straight forward on paper, but the whole process involves a myriad of emotions, time and testing. On a personal note -- the bond my donor and I share is amazing -- It is overwhelming humbling of an experience to receive such a genuine, selfless gift of the donor's time and self. It reminds me of the very first example of organ donation -- Jesus Christ offering each of us a new, clean heart with Him in residence. I am wholly unworthy of that gift also, but I accept it with infinite gratitude, appreciation and humility!
One last important note: An organ donor does not acrue any of the medical costs -- the recipient's insurance covers the testing, doctor visits, surgery and hospital stay. The only cost to the donor is travel costs and the time off from work.
THanks for your interest --- being an organ donor isn't for everyone -- its something that should be cocnsidered with great care, taking into consideration your responsibilities, etc... But if this explanation has sparked your interest I would be happy to supply you with more educational materials or links to credible websites. :)
-- V
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