What is a Living Kidney Donor?
We accept adults who are willing to donate one of their kidneys to one of our pediatric patients. You can be a directed kidney donor, meaning you are willing to donate to a particular recipient only. We also accept non-directed or altruistic kidney donors, meaning you are willing to donate to any of our pediatric recipients.
Directed Kidney Donor Guidelines:
- You must be between the ages of 18-50 years old.
- Your body mass index (BMI) must be more than 18 and less than 35. A BMI calculator can be used to determine your BMI.
- We prefer that donor blood type be compatible with the recipient. If it is not, there may be other options available, including donor swap programs. For more information, please visit https://cincinnatichildrenslivingdonor.org/
NOTE: These guidelines are very strict. There are NO EXCEPTIONS!
Kidney Donor Absolute Contraindications:
You cannot have any personal history of any of the conditions listed below:
- Cancer (past or present)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure that is treated with medicine
- Hepatitis (past or present)
- HIV
- Terminal illness
- Active substance abuse disorder
- Coercion or receiving money to donate your organ
- Untreated acute infection
- Active pregnancy
- Any history of cysts or stones in the kidney
Other Problems That May Prevent Living Kidney Donation:
- Personal or family history of bleeding or clotting disorders
- Serious reactions to anesthesia in the past
- History of anxiety or depression
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Directed Kidney Donor Process:
- Complete the online BREEZE Form (health screening)
- Health screening information will be entered into a computer system
- Initial phone call with the Living Donor Coordinator:
- information given about our process
- kidney donor selection guidelines
- contraindications (things that could prevent donation)
- basic information about surgery and follow-up care
- Phone call with the Independent Living Donor Advocate
- Brief psychosocial assessment
- Initial lab tests: CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), hgb A1C (hemoglobin A1C), and tissue typing
- CTA scan
- Transplant evaluations and consults (must come to Cincinnati Children’s for two days of appointments):
- medical evaluation with adult nephrologist (includes fasting labs, chest X-ray and EKG)
- surgical consult
- psychosocial evaluation
- psychological evaluation
- dietary consult
- anesthesia consult
- education with Living Donor Coordinator (informed consent reviewed, post-operative expectations, plan moving forward)
- Must be medically, psychosocially, surgically and psychologically approved
- Formally discussed at our monthly donor selection meeting
- If approved, the transplant date will be scheduled
Additional Non-Directed Donor Selection Guidelines:
- You must be between the ages of 21-50 years old.
- Your body mass index (BMI) must be more than 18 and less than 35.
NOTE: These guidelines are very strict. There are NO EXCEPTIONS!
Non-Directed or Altruistic Kidney Donor Process:
- Complete the online BREEZE Form (health screening)
- Health screening information will be entered into a computer system
- Initial phone call with the Living Donor Coordinator:
- Information given about our process
- kidney donor selection guidelines
- contraindications (things that could prevent donation)
- basic information about surgery and follow-up care
- Phone call with the Independent Living Donor Advocate
- brief psychosocial assessment
- brief psychosocial history
- Initial labs: CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), hgb A1C (hemoglobin A1C), and ABO
- Must come to Cincinnati Children’s for:
- psychosocial evaluation (reviews informed consent)
- psychological evaluation
- CTA scan
- Transplant evaluations and consults (must come to Cincinnati Children’s for one to two days of appointments):
- medical evaluation with adult transplant nephrologist (includes fasting labs, chest X-ray and EKG)
- surgical consult
- dietary consult
- anesthesia consult
- education with Living Donor Coordinator (informed consent reviewed, post-operative expectations, plan moving forward)
- Must be medically, psychosocially, surgically and psychologically approved
- Formally discussed at our monthly donor selection meeting
- If approved, the transplant date will be scheduled
Directed and Non-Directed Medical Expenses:
- All medical costs are covered under the recipient’s insurance for all the required testing
- Do not submit your health insurance card for anything
- All donor candidates are given donor billing instructions
Travel Expenses
The National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) may cover associated costs for travel to Cincinnati Children’s (for evaluation and transplant)
- Must meet their criteria to qualify
- An ILDA (Independent Living Donor Advocate) can give you more information if interested
Other Expenses/Lost Wages:
- Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) offers the option of fundraising to help with expenses associated with living donation
- Lost wages, ongoing household expenses, child care, etc.
- Food, lodging, fuel, etc.
- Option for those who don’t qualify for NLDAC assistance
- If interested, you will be connected with a COTA representative for assistance
Questions? Please email txlivingdonor@cchmc.org.
