10 Kidney Donation Facts
Living kidney donation and transplantation have improved the lives of thousands living with kidney disease.
Here are ten essential facts about kidney donation that everyone should know – especially if you’re considering donating.
FACT 1: LIVING DONORS CAN DONATE A KIDNEY
Living kidney donation allows healthy people to donate one of their kidneys to someone in need. To become a living donor, a person must go through a number of medical tests to make sure they’re healthy enough to donate. They must also have excellent kidney function and low risk for future kidney disease. Kidneys from living donors tend to have better long-term outcomes for recipients compared to kidneys that come from a deceased donor, so living donors play an important role in reducing the wait times for patients in need of a transplant.
FACT 2: KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS ARE COMMON AND SAFE
Kidney transplants are the most common organ transplants performed today. According to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), just under 3,000 kidney transplants (from both living and deceased donors) were performed in the UK in 2021/2022 alone. The success rates are high, with around 96% of living transplanted kidneys still working well one year after surgery. Advances in medical technology, including better surgical techniques and immunosuppressive drugs for recipients, have significantly improved the safety and outcomes and safety of kidney donations.
FACT 3: THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT WAITING LIST IS LONG
The national transplant waiting list for kidneys is long, with over 6,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant in the UK. Wait times can vary widely depending on factors such as blood and tissue type, where they live in the country, and the availability of donors. Increasing the number of living donors is very important in helping us to reduce these waiting times and save more lives.
FACT 4: MATCHING DONORS AND RECIPIENTS
Successful kidney transplants rely crucially on the donor’s kidney being a good ‘match’ for their recipient. Blood type and tissue matching are important to stop the recipient’s body from rejecting the new kidney. Advances in technology have also made it possible for some patients to receive kidneys from donors who were previously not considered a match, with more work in this area always ongoing. For more information on the kidney matching process, you can visit our dedicated page here.
FACT 5: DONOR KIDNEY FUNCTION AFTER DONATION
After donation, the donor’s remaining kidney usually gets bigger and works to make up for the loss of the other kidney. This process (known as ‘compensatory hypertrophy’) allows donors to keep good overall kidney function even with one kidney. Studies have shown that living kidney donors usually have normal kidney function and life expectancy after their donation.
FACT 6: KIDNEY DONATION SURGERY AND RECOVERY
The surgery for kidney donation is called a nephrectomy. It can be done using keyhole (or “laparoscopic”) surgery which reduces recovery time and leaves only a small scar. Most donors stay in the hospital for one to three nights after the operation. They may feel tender around where the operation happened for a few weeks, but can then return to normal activities within four to six weeks.
FACT 7: LIFESTYLE CHANGES AFTER DONATION
As long as the donor is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, then very few changes will be needed after donating a kidney. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting professional medical advice before engaging in anything that may injure the remaining kidney, like contact sports. Generally, most people can live long and healthy lives with just one kidney. You can find more information on life with one kidney, here.
FACT 8: RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS EXIST
Like any surgical procedure, kidney donation carries potential risks and complications. These can include infection, bleeding, blood clots, and reactions to the anaesthetics used during surgery. However, serious complications are rare, and the majority of donors recover without significant issues. For more information on the risks of living kidney donation, you can visit our dedicated page here.
FACT 9: TRANSPLANTS CAN BE ‘PREEMPTIVE’
‘Preemptive’ kidney transplants can sometimes be performed before the recipient begins dialysis. This offers several benefits, including better survival rates and improved quality of life for the recipient. Preemptive transplants can sometimes take place if there is a living donor ready and they meet certain medical criteria. This can reduce the need for long-term dialysis and reduce the overall burden on the healthcare system.
FACT 10: YOU CAN SUPPORT KIDNEY DONATION EFFORTS
Even if you cannot donate a kidney, you can still support kidney donation efforts by raising awareness of living kidney donation, and sharing personal stories to inspire others. Raising awareness about the importance of kidney donation can help more people to consider living kidney donation and save more lives. Learn more by visiting our dedicated page here.
By understanding and sharing these facts, we can contribute to a greater awareness of kidney donation and transplantation, ultimately helping to reduce wait times and improve the lives of those affected by kidney failure in the UK.