How to Save a Friend's Life Through Organ Donation
Because of the shortage of donated organs, many people in need of an organ transplant could benefit from a directed donation from a living donor. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), living donors can donate a kidney, the lobe of a lung, part of the pancreas, part of the liver, or part of the intestine. A living donor can be a family member or friend of the patient, a good Samaritan, or part of a paired exchange or "organ swap" in which loved ones who are not compatible can donate an organ to a stranger in exchange for an organ for their loved one from a compatible donor. If you are thinking of donating an organ to someone you love, it is important to be educated about the process.
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Things You'll Need
- Information about your friend's medical condition
- Your medical history
- Contact information for your friend's transplant team
Instructions
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Talk to your friend and make sure you are both comfortable with the donation. There are a lot of emotions involved, so good communication is key.
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Talk to your friend's transplant team about donating your organ. They will be able to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.
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Get a blood type test. This is the first test the transplant team will do to see if you are a compatible donor for your friend.
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Get a thorough physical exam.
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Have more compatibility blood tests. If your blood type is a match, you will need more extensive blood tests to make sure you are a match.
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Have urine tests. This will give the transplant team information about your kidneys' health.
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Have a CT scan of the area. If you are donating a kidney, this will help the team decide which kidney will be best for the donation.
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Have X-rays, an EKG, blood tests and urine tests to check for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or lung disease, cancer, or transmissible diseases, such as HIV or hepatitis.
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Have an evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist to make sure both you and your friend are psychologically ready for the donation.
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Schedule the surgery.
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Tips & Warnings
Although live-organ donors usually live long, healthy lives, you will need to check in regularly with your doctor to monitor your health. In nearly all cases, the organ recipient's health insurance will pay for the donor's surgery.
Make sure you are completely honest with the transplant team about your full medical history, since this information can affect the outcome of the donation. Before donating, learn about potential complications of the surgery, the time commitment you will need to make, and the psychological impact of the donation. (For example, some people experience resentment if their organ is rejected by their friend's immune system.)
