Why I am seeking a living donor?

As of November 2024 I have been listed active on the national organ transplant waiting list. This means that I have been cleared to receive a kidney transplant and am waiting for a deceased kidney donor transplant. The reason I am seeking  a live kidney donor is because there are a few advantages and benefits that help me aim for more odds in my favor. For example, a deceased donor kidney could last working properly for up to 10 years, whereas a living donor kidney could last up to 15 years. Also, the wait time for my possible deceased kidney donor transplant can be up to 5 years or longer, whereas a live kidney transplant can take place in a few months.

Who can be a possible donor?

When there is a possibility of a living donor there are a couple of tests that are ran to check compatibility between donor and recipient. One of those tests is a blood type test. In my case, I am blood type O. This means that I am only capable of receiving a kidney from a blood type O donor. There are also other requirements such as being at least 18 years of age and being in overall general good health. My kidney transplant center also participates in something called a Paired Kidney Exchange. This means that if a living donor is not compatible with a kidney recipient, they can still possibly do a kidney exchange where the living donor donates to someone else who is compatible and in return another compatible living donor is seeked for the person that was incompatible.