Living organ donation dates back to 1954, when a kidney from one twin was successfully transplanted into his identical brother. Today, the number of living organ donors is more than 6,000 per year. And one in four of these donors isn't biologically related to the recipient.
By offering a kidney, lobe of a lung, portion of the liver, pancreas, or intestine, living donors offer their loved one, friend or an unfamiliar person an alternative to waiting on the national transplant waiting list for an organ from a deceased donor.
Thousands of patients hope for a bone marrow donor who can make their life-saving transplant possible. They depend on people like you. You have the power to save a life.
Learn more about bone marrow donation.
Learn more about bone marrow donation.
In addition to deceased donor transplants, patients may also receive organs from living donors. Living donation offers an alternative for individuals awaiting transplantation from a deceased donor and increases the existing organ supply.
Learn about the facts.
Learn about the facts.
While it is important to talk about end of life decisions including organ donation, it is now becoming more common to donate organs and partial organs while living.
Learn more about being a living donor.
Learn more about being a living donor.
In order to qualify as a living donor, an individual must be physically fit, in good general health, and free from high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease and heart disease. Individuals considered for living donation are usually between 18-60 years of age. Gender and race are not factors in determining a successful match, but donors must have a blood type compatible with the intended recipient.
Routine tests are also always performed to determine the potential donor's level of physical and mental health, and compatibility with the patient awaiting a transplant.
Transplant centers must also implement a written living donor informed consent process that informs the prospective living donor of all aspects of and potential outcomes from living donation.
Routine tests are also always performed to determine the potential donor's level of physical and mental health, and compatibility with the patient awaiting a transplant.
Transplant centers must also implement a written living donor informed consent process that informs the prospective living donor of all aspects of and potential outcomes from living donation.
Medical expenses associated with living donor evaluation are covered by either the recipient's insurance or in certain circumstances, by the Transplant Centers Organ Acquisition Fund (OAF). In either instance, the living donor should not incur any expenses for the evaluation. However, expenses related to another health concern that may identified during the evaluation process will not be covered by the recipient's insurace or the OAF.
The actual donation surgery expense is covered by the recipient's insurance. The transplant center will charge a recipient's insurance an "acquisition fee" when he or she receives a transplant. The medical costs related to the donation procedure and required postoperative care are also covered by this fee. In some instances, the actual itemized bill for the donor procedure is submitted to the recipient's insurance.
Anything that falls outside of the transplant center's donor evaluation is not covered. These costs could include annual physicals, travel, lodging, lost wages and other non-medical expenses. Although it is against the law to pay a living donor for the organ, these costs may be covered by the recipient. Be sure to check your specific insurance policy or ask a transplant financial coordinator about concerns related to your specific circumstances. You may also want to learn more about the National Living Donor Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to those who want to donate an organ.
Learn more about specific organ transplant costs now.
Every patient has a unique financial and insurance situation.
That's why it's important to evaluate multiple options.
The actual donation surgery expense is covered by the recipient's insurance. The transplant center will charge a recipient's insurance an "acquisition fee" when he or she receives a transplant. The medical costs related to the donation procedure and required postoperative care are also covered by this fee. In some instances, the actual itemized bill for the donor procedure is submitted to the recipient's insurance.
Anything that falls outside of the transplant center's donor evaluation is not covered. These costs could include annual physicals, travel, lodging, lost wages and other non-medical expenses. Although it is against the law to pay a living donor for the organ, these costs may be covered by the recipient. Be sure to check your specific insurance policy or ask a transplant financial coordinator about concerns related to your specific circumstances. You may also want to learn more about the National Living Donor Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to those who want to donate an organ.
Learn more about specific organ transplant costs now.
Every patient has a unique financial and insurance situation.
That's why it's important to evaluate multiple options.
Contact the transplant center where the intended transplant candidate is being followed. If you would like to be a non-directed living donor, contact transplant centers directly to find out if they have this type of donation program. Visit the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Website at www.optn.org (Choose Members >Member Directory) for a complete list of transplant centers. You can also call the UNOS patient services line at 1-888-894-6361 for help.
Iowa Transplant Centers
Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Des Moines, IA
(888) 343-4164
Iowa City VA Medical Center
Iowa City, IA
(319) 338-0581
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, IA
(800) 777-8442
Mercy Medical Center
Des Moines, IA
(515) 247-3121
All transplant centers are designated by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.
Iowa Transplant Centers
Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Des Moines, IA
(888) 343-4164
Iowa City VA Medical Center
Iowa City, IA
(319) 338-0581
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, IA
(800) 777-8442
Mercy Medical Center
Des Moines, IA
(515) 247-3121
All transplant centers are designated by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.
TransplantLiving.org: www.transplantliving.org
American Liver Foundation: 1-800-465-4837, www.liverfoundation.org
American Lung Association: 1-800-LUNGUSA(586-4872), www.lungusa.org
American Society of Transplant Surgeons: 1-703-414-7870, www.asts.org
American Society of Transplantation: 1-856-439-9986, www.a-s-t.org
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY: 877-486-2048, www.cms.hhs.gov
Living Donors Online: www.livingdonorsonline.org
NATCO, The Organization for Transplant Professionals: 1-913-895-4612, www.natco1.org
National Institutes for Health: 1-301-496-4000, TTY: 1-301-402-9612, www.nih.gov Kidney and Urologic Diseases: 1-800-891-5390, Digestivediseases 800-891-5389, Lung diseases: 301-592-8573
National Kidney Foundation: 1-800-622-9010, www.kidney.org; www.livingdonors.org
National Living Donor Assistance Center: 1-703-414-1600, www.livingdonorassistance.org
Source: www.transplantliving.org
American Liver Foundation: 1-800-465-4837, www.liverfoundation.org
American Lung Association: 1-800-LUNGUSA(586-4872), www.lungusa.org
American Society of Transplant Surgeons: 1-703-414-7870, www.asts.org
American Society of Transplantation: 1-856-439-9986, www.a-s-t.org
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY: 877-486-2048, www.cms.hhs.gov
Living Donors Online: www.livingdonorsonline.org
NATCO, The Organization for Transplant Professionals: 1-913-895-4612, www.natco1.org
National Institutes for Health: 1-301-496-4000, TTY: 1-301-402-9612, www.nih.gov Kidney and Urologic Diseases: 1-800-891-5390, Digestivediseases 800-891-5389, Lung diseases: 301-592-8573
National Kidney Foundation: 1-800-622-9010, www.kidney.org; www.livingdonors.org
National Living Donor Assistance Center: 1-703-414-1600, www.livingdonorassistance.org
Source: www.transplantliving.org
