The most living donor procedures performed in the world

The Transplant Center—Living Donation, Roberta Simmons Funds

At this moment, an estimated 87,000 Americans are clinging to hope that the perfect kidney, liver, pancreas or lung will become available for transplantation. Some of them will find living donors, but some of the donors may be discouraged by the out-of-pocket expenses related to lost wages, transportation or lodging costs. Those who do donate will go on to lead unique lives that will provide valuable information for donors of the future.

To remove barriers to donation and provide ongoing research of the effects of donation on donors, the Fairview Foundation and Minnesota Medical Foundation at the University of Minnesota are accepting tax-deductible donations to the Roberta Simmons Funds. The living donor assistance, and research and education funds are named for Roberta Grodberg Simmons, a pioneer in the social psychology of organ transplants. She was a University of Minnesota professor of sociology and psychiatry and department of surgery research associate, 1969-1987.

While a professor of sociology at the University, Roberta Simmons was dedicated to researching the long-term affects of donation on the donor’s quality of life. Simmons found that donor-recipient pairs after transplant were much closer emotionally than before, and “[Most donors] are rewarded by the fact they have saved the recipient’s life, and they try to structure the situation to minimize the recipient’s sense of debt.”

Living Donor Patient Assistance

There is no cost to the donor for the required medical tests and surgery. The transplant program does not routinely cover transportation, lodging, lost wages or other non-medical expenses. The Roberta Simmons Patient Assistance Fund through the Fairview Foundation supports those with a financial need.

Make a tax-deductible gift (Fund #6696)

Apply for Assistance: Call The Transplant Center at 612-625-5115 or 800-328-5465 and ask to speak with a living donation coordinator.

Medical Research After Donation

As an example of research potential, no national database of donor health exists. Through the Minnesota Medical Foundation, Roberta Simmons Research Grants are made available for research projects of this kind.

Make a Donation

Apply for a Research Grant: Contact

Dr. Abhinav Humar

Surgery Department

PWB 11-200, Mayo Mail Code 195

420 Delaware St. SE

Minneapolis, MN 55455

Living Donation

A kidney, or a portion of a lung, liver, or pancreas, provided by living donors shortens or eliminates the time required to wait for a transplant. Donors may be a family member, a friend, and sometimes even an anonymous donor. Because living donor transplants can be scheduled when the recipient is in better health, the success rate is improved and the chance of rejection and infection is reduced. Someone else in need also moves up the waiting list for a deceased-donor organ every time another recipient moves off.

The transplant program at the U and the University of Minnesota Medical Center is among the oldest, largest, and most respected in the world. University of Minnesota Physicians are credited with many firsts in organ transplantation, and each year perform more than 400 transplants.