The most living donor procedures performed in the world

What is Living Donation?

As medical science improves, opportunities for successful transplants are increasing, but the number of organs available from people who have recently died is not. The alternative is living donation.

Living donation means that an organ can be taken from one healthy person to replace a non-functioning organ in another person. Afterwards, both the living organ donor and the recipient can have normal, active lives. Living organ donation has been practiced at University of Minnesota Medical Center since this transplant program began at the University of Minnesota in 1963. The transplant program at Fairview-University is now a world leader in living donor transplant.

Most of the time, someone who needs an organ transplant has a much better chance of surviving if he or she can find a living donor. There are several reasons:

• Living organ donation gives better results for the recipient,
• It eliminates the long wait for a deceased-donor organ, and,
• It allows for transplant surgery to be scheduled when both donor and recipient are in top physical and mental health.

The decision to donate an organ is serious and personal. Only you can make the decision. If you are thinking of donating, you must voluntarily contact The Transplant Center and ask to speak with a coordinator about donation.

Just as patients waiting for transplant have a medical team to tend to their needs, you will have your own team, too. The donation process is completely confidential and separate from the recipient’s. Your medical team is concerned for your health and safety. If at any time you changes your mind, the team will help you withdraw from consideration privately and without guilt.