About Living-Donor Transplants
A kidney can be donated from one of two sources: either from a deceased donor (cadaveric) or from a living donor. Having a living donor provides these distinct advantages over a cadaveric-donor transplant:
A shorter wait for the recipient
The supply of cadaveric organs is limited, and the waiting time for those in need can be lengthy. A patient can wait months or many years for a cadaveric transplant. While awaiting a cadaveric organ, a patient’s health can decline to the point where poor health affects the success of the transplant. In a small number of cases, the patient may no longer be well enough to undergo the operation.
Living-donor transplants may last longer
The outcomes for both cadaveric and living-donor organ transplants are excellent over the first two years. There is growing evidence that organs donated by living donors may last longer than those from cadaveric donors. However, for those without a suitable donor, cadaveric transplant can provide satisfactory outcomes.
A faster recovery for the recipient
In most cases, organs from living donors begin to function immediately after transplantation. This helps the recipient recover faster and shortens the length of the hospital stay. Recipients of living-donor transplants are generally released from the hospital on the fifth day after the transplant.
A shorter wait for kidney recipients in general
When a person donates a kidney, in effect, he or she benefits two parties: the person to whom he or she donates, as well as other people on the waiting list with no possible living donor. By donating to one person on the list, donors can shorten the wait for others in need of a cadaveric kidney.
Contact Information
Transplant Program
1101 MadisonFirst Hill Campus, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-386-3660 or 1-800-99ORGAN (1-800-996-7426)
Fax: 206-386-3644
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Map & Directions
Transplant Physicians
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Please click the above image to learn more about our upcoming Living Kidney Donor Seminar in October.
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