Additional Information for Living Donors
LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF THE DECISION TO BE A KIDNEY DONOR
To date there have been over 80,000 living kidney donors. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the long-term risks for a given kidney donor, the available data suggest that being a living kidney donor does not significantly increase the donor's risk of developing kidney failure or needing dialysis or a kidney transplant. The best safe-guards against a kidney donor developing advanced kidney disease are careful evaluation prior to kidney donation to detect medical conditions that may increase the risk of developing kidney failure and the commitment by the kidney donor to maintain a healthy lifestyle and see their doctor once each year for routine evaluation of their health status.
FINANCES
The costs of the evaluation and surgery for the donor are usually borne by the recipient's insurance and Medicare. However, because each individual recipient's insurance policy may vary, Emory will verify full donor benefits and billing requirements related to the donor evaluation and surgery. Emory will also review the donor's insurance policy or policies and will inform the potential donor of any costs they may incur. Each donor will have the opportunity to discuss the financial considerations of living kidney donation with a Financial Coordinator from the Emory Transplant Center. If the donor or recipient is a resident of Georgia, The Georgia Transplant Foundation may be of assistance with some expenses. Your coordinator will provide you with additional information and an application. In addition donors may be eligible for financial assistance for their travel and lodging expenses through the National Living Donor Assistance Center.
ALL INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL BETWEEN THE DONOR AND THE TRANSPLANT TEAM:
Giving a kidney is a personal decision. We do not give any information regarding the donor to anyone except the donor, including the potential recipient.
