LIVING KIDNEY DONATION FACTS

95% of living donors say they 

would donate again.

You only need one kidney to 

live a healthy, long life. 

Kidney donation surgery is done laparoscopically, through tiny incisions. 

The recuperation period after donating a kidney is quick, generally two weeks.

Donating a kidney doesn’t cost 

anything. Recipient insurance 

covers the testing and surgery. 

There are programs for living donors to help with expenses assocated with travel, childcare, and missing work.

Living donors have a separate team 

of healthcare professionals from 

the recipient. The hospital’s job is 

to look out for the best interests 

of the potential donors.

Living kidney donation is safe. 

However, in the extremely rare case that someone who donated a kidney, later 

needs a transplant, they’re put 

at the top the waiting list. 

Potential kidney donors can undergo testing without the recipient knowing. 

And even if they’re a match, the 

person waiting won’t be told unless 

the donor says it’s okay first.