FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LIVING DONOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
1. What is a living donor kidney transplant? When kidneys fail, a kidney transplant offers the best hope for a longer and better quality of life. The key to a successful transplant is finding a suitable donor kidney. There are two options:  Waiting an average of three to five years for a donor kidney from someone who has died. This is known as a deceased‐donor kidney transplant.  Finding a living donor who will give you a kidney. This is a living donor kidney transplant. 2. Who can be a living kidney donor? A healthy person with two kidneys can donate one and resume a normal lifestyle within weeks after the operation. Being a donor does not shorten your life or increase your risk of getting kidney disease. At Mayo Clinic, the living kidney donor operation is performed with laparoscopy – surgery done through small incisions. The operation is safer and easier on the body than traditional surgery. And, you spend less time in the hospital – often one or two days at most. Recovery is faster, too. 3. What are the benefits of a living donor kidney? There are many benefits: 

Patients may have a shorter wait time if using a living donor. The average wait time for a deceased donor is three to five years. Generally, living donor kidneys function longer than deceased donor kidneys. However, you will still need to take medicine to keep your body from rejecting the new kidney. 4. How are failing kidneys treated? Your kidneys clean your blood by removing waste and extra fluid. When your kidneys can no longer do this, you have two options: dialysis or kidney transplant. 5. What causes kidney failure? Kidney failure is usually the result of months or years of kidney disease. The most common conditions that can lead to chronic kidney disease include:  Type 1 or type 2 diabetes  High blood pressure  Inflammation in and around the kidneys (glomerulonephritis or interstitial nephritis)  Polycystic kidney disease  Blocked urine flow for a long period of time  Urine to backing up into your kidney (vesicoureteral reflux)  Frequent kidney infection (pyelonephritis) Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota and Blue Plus® are nonprofit independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LIVING DONOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
6. What is dialysis? Dialysis is a process that uses a machine to clean the blood. Each dialysis treatment takes three to four hours and usually is done three to four times each week. Dialysis can worsen a person’s health and quality of life. 7. What is preemptive kidney transplantation? If a person has a kidney transplant before needing dialysis, it is called preemptive kidney transplant. This type of transplant usually requires a living donor because a patient would likely develop kidney failure before a deceased‐donor kidney would be available. 8. What are the benefits of preemptive living donor kidney transplant? The benefits include:  Better kidney function  Better overall health  Longer life and better survival rates  Fewer complications  Less need for dialysis before and after the transplant 9. Where does a living donor kidney come from? Your health care team will consider several factors, such as blood and tissue types, when evaluating whether a living donor is a good match. Family members often are the best fit. However, many people have successful transplants with kidneys from donors who are not related. 10. What happens if I do not find a living donor? If you can’t find a suitable living donor, your name will be placed on a waiting list for a deceased‐donor kidney. Because there are fewer kidneys than people needing a transplant, the waiting list is long. And, it continues to grow. You could wait five years or more for a deceased‐donor kidney. Paired kidney donation may be an option if you've found a living donor who isn’t a good match for you. Your donor may instead give a kidney to a person who is a good match. You would then receive a kidney from another patient’s donor. 11. Who is a good candidate for a living donor kidney transplant? You may be considered for a transplant if your kidneys have failed or if you have advanced kidney disease. You must be in good overall health. If you have other serious conditions like cancer or severe heart or lung disease, you may not be able to get a transplant. If you have problems with drugs, alcohol or if you smoke, you may not be able to get a kidney transplant. You will have an evaluation to see whether a transplant is right for you. This may take several days or more. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LIVING DONOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
12. Who is a good candidate to donate a kidney? In order to donate an organ, you must fit several criteria, including: 








Be at least 18 years old Be in good physical and mental health Willing to be tested for compatibility and to donate Having blood and tissue type compatibility with the recipient (If you’re not a match, you may choose to participate in the Mayo Clinic paired kidney donation program.) Agreeing to the benefits and risks of being a donor Be able to give informed consent Having support from family members and friends Having no current alcohol or recreational drug abuse problems Having no active chronic conditions, such as cancer, diabetes or certain diseases 13. What if I want to donate a kidney? Thank you for considering this life‐giving gift for a family member or friend. You can even donate a kidney anonymously to someone on the kidney transplant waiting list. As a potential kidney donor, you’ll receive a thorough medical exam to see if you’re a good match. You’ll have a psychological test and be screened to make sure you don’t have any health problems. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic will speak with you and your family about the benefits and risks of donating a kidney. Donor costs, including transportation and other transplant‐related expenses, can sometimes be covered by the recipient’s health plan. Donors typically recover within two to three weeks of surgery. Mayo Clinic transplant staff will provide support and follow‐up care for several months after the surgery. 14. What is the evaluation process for those who want to consider donating a kidney? To find out whether you can be a kidney donor, you must have comprehensive evaluation. This includes:  An interview about you, your background and medical history  Blood tests  An evaluation at Mayo Clinic that usually takes two to five days and includes: o Physical exam o More blood tests o Urine tests o X‐rays o Kidney function tests o Blood pressure tests o Cancer screening o Detailed scan of your kidneys, bladder, and blood vessels o Additional tests depending on your age and medical history FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LIVING DONOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

A final review to determine if it is safe for you to donate, and if you are a good match for the patient 15. Why choose Mayo Clinic for living donor kidney transplantation? Mayo Clinic has a long history with living donor kidney transplantation. Since 1963, the Mayo Clinic has performed more than 3,000 living donor kidney transplants.* Also, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota nursing coordinators will guide you through the transplant experience. 16. What are the travel and lodging benefits? Travel and lodging is a covered benefit for you, your donor and a care companion. Blue Cross Living Donor Kidney Transplant customer service team can help answer your questions. Call (866) 319‐3778. 17. What are the out‐of‐pocket costs, and how can I learn more? If you want to be a living kidney donor or candidate, you can call (866) 319‐3778 to learn about costs and how to get started. 18. Where can I go to read more information on dialysis and kidney transplant? If you want to learn more, call the Blue Cross Living Donor Kidney Transplant customer service team at (866) 319‐3778. To learn more about dialysis and kidney transplants, visit www.mayoclinic.org/departments‐centers/transplant‐center/kidney‐transplant *According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients http://www.srtr.org/csr/current/Centers/TransplantCenters.aspx?organcode=KI Mayo Clinic® is an independent, nonprofit healthcare provider offering network access to its providers and health services. Mayo, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Health System and the triple‐shield logo are registered trademarks and service marks of Mayo Clinic. Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.