*Age requirements can vary based on the medical facility
An individual must be 18-70 years old and live in the United States, to participate with a National Kidney Registry Medical Facility.
Can be any blood type, but O Negative to be a direct match for Ed, but direct matches are no longer needed due to the National Pair Registry-Pair Matching Program.
Must Have a Body Mass Index (BMI for short) of 35 or less. (Please see more about "Body Mass Index" Below)
A potential donor must be in good physical and mental health.
Uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, active or recently treated cancer, HIV, hepatitis, or acute or recurring infections, any other form of serious health condition
Please see your doctor regarding these conditions, however, at Mayo Clinic, they are NOT automatic disqualifiers. Preventative measures are taken to assist in the transference of the diseases. Furthermore, considering receipt of a kidney from an individual with these conditions can result in the recipient obtaining a kidney in a shorter time.
Body Mass Index
In 2023, the National Kidney Foundation produced an article on the importance of “Weight Management for Kidney Patients and Living Donors.” While the article recognizes requirements can differ from medical center to medical center. For this reason, kidney patients attending the facility as a patient must have a BMI of 38 or less. Living kidney donors must have a BMI of 35 or less. The following is the link to the article from the National Kidney Foundation and a link to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention BMI calculator.
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is a charitable organization committed to preventing kidney disease, raising awareness about organ donation, and helping those impacted by kidney issues. Established in 1950, the NKF's goal is to enhance the health and quality of life of individuals dealing with kidney problems through educational efforts, advocacy work, and research projects. They offer resources to spot and manage kidney disease early on, advocate for policies that make kidney care more accessible, and fund research to develop better treatments and eventually find a cure for kidney ailments. Furthermore, the NKF offers various support services like hotlines, peer support programs, and community events to aid individuals and families affected by kidney disease. Please email learningcenter@kidney.org with any questions or call the NKF Cares helpline at 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273) or for additional resources or support please CLICK HERE to visit their website.
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) helps you make an informed decision to become a living kidney donor by teaching and helping an individual understand the following information:
Living Donor Transplants:
There are two types of living donor transplants. In the following link by the Mayo Clinic, you will briefly learn the difference between direct and non-direct donations, as well as further information to assist in making an informed decision, such as choosing the right transplant medical center for you. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
Living Donor and Insurance Information:
“All medical services related to organ donation are submitted to the recipient's insurance. Your recipient's insurance typically covers all medical services related to your organ donation, including your evaluation, hospitalization, surgery, follow-up care and treatment of any surgical complications.” -Mayo Clinic Staff
Please note, that this includes the evaluation process to test to become a living donor.
For more information, please use the button below for a directory to locate & contact the Mayo Clinic of your choosing.
Kidney For Ed utilizes information given to the family from the National Pair Registry. In the short video you are about to watch, Marian Charlton discusses some common misconceptions about being a living kidney donor.
“Many people would like to donate an organ to a family member or friend, but would have trouble paying for related expenses—like transportation, lodging, food, and dependent care—that are not covered by insurance, especially if they lose wages during their recovery from donation surgery. The costs of the process can be a burden for donors and recipients; for some, these costs might make living organ donation impossible.
The National Living Donor Assistance Center exists to provide access to transplantation for those who want to donate, but face financial barriers to doing so.” -NLDC
This particular donor assistance program has the potential to assist with evaluation testing expenses if applied to before the evaluation has occurred
“The American Transplant Foundation is proud to be able to provide real help to real families when they need it the most. We go beyond awareness by providing mentorship and financial support to patients and their families.
We help living organ donors to cover essential living expenses (i.e. rent/mortgage) due to lost wages during recovery after surgery so they can heal without facing financial troubles.
For transplant recipients, we help patients with financial support to maintain the organ that keeps them alive! We provide assistance to cover delinquent insurance premiums, overdue medication co-payments, and essential living expenses.
This is only possible because of our generous financial donors. Thank you all for entrusting us to support the transplant community.” -ATF
“Becoming a living kidney donor is a generous gift that could save someone’s life. While kidney donation is a very safe procedure, the entire process does involve a time commitment, potentially including travel and time off work, as well as some element of risk. Donor Shield is a comprehensive program designed to protect living kidney donors, make kidney donation easier and more convenient, and offer support through every step of the donation journey.”
-National Pair Registry
Please CLICK HERE to learn more about Donor Shield.
Learn more about the Donor Shield living donor assistance program, which offers a wide range of financial assistance, protection & support to living donors through their video resources/library.
A transplant home is a place where individuals who have undergone organ transplantation, such as kidney, liver, heart, or lung transplant, reside during their recovery period. It serves as a supportive environment where patients can receive care & assistance as they adjust to life post-transplant. Additionally, transplant houses can be utilized for donors as they go through the evaluation process & the surgery. Most major metropolitan cities have transplant houses. A simple Google search for “Transplant House” with your city included, will yield the desired result. The Gabriel House, located in Jacksonville, FL will be utilized for Ed’s potential donors'- evaluations, donor surgery stay if needed, and Ed’s pre and post-transplant care.
If you have registered to become a living kidney donor for Ed, please take a look at the following link.
· work for a covered employer;
· have worked 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to the start of leave; ( special hours of service rules apply to airline flight crew members )
· work at a location where the employer has 50 or more employees within 75 miles; and
· have worked for the employer for 12 months. The 12 months of employment are not required to be consecutive for the employee to qualify for FMLA leave. In general, only employment within seven years is counted unless the break in service is (1) due to an employee’s fulfillment of military obligations, or (2) governed by a collective bargaining agreement or other written agreement.” - US Department of Labor
Many are unaware of the opportunity to receive a tax credit for becoming a living donor. The button below offers crucial information on eligibility criteria by state, alongside a summary of the state and federal laws governing this life-saving act.
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