The Decision to be a Living Donor
Kidney donation is an important and serious decision.
You should have all the facts before you make
your decision. It's important that you fully understand
how donating a kidney will affect you and your
family. Some people make the decision instantly
with few worries or concerns. Others go through
quite a bit of soul-searching before deciding.
It's normal to be afraid of giving a kidney
and to experience guilt about not wanting to
be a donor. The only "right" decision
is the one that the potential donor feels comfortable
with. You might want to ask your local organ
procurement organization or transplant center
for the names of other kidney donors who are
willing to talk to you. Talking to people who
have already donated a kidney might help you
make your decision.
Living kidney donation is a difficult topic for
the potential donor, the potential recipient,
and the transplant patient's family. There may
be conflicting feelings. The family may be hesitant,
not knowing what is expected of them. The patient
may feel guilty asking his or her family for a
kidney.
Be sure to talk to one another or to the physician.
You can make an appointment with the doctor,
the transplant coordinator or the social worker
to discuss your questions, feelings and concerns.
Remember that any discussion about kidney donation
and the tissue typing test results will be kept
strictly confidential between the potential
donor and the transplant team.
The transplant
team will not share any information with the
potential recipient or the recipient's physician
unless the donor specifically instructs them
to do so. Kidney donation should be a totally
voluntary decision. After discussing your feelings
and considering the facts, you can decide whether
it's right for you. You can change your mind
at any time during the evaluation. Your decision
will be kept confidential; in fact, a person
can be given a "medical excuse" if
it is felt to be necessary.
The recipient also has the right to decide if
he or she wants the transplant. The transplant
team will respect both decisions.
Reviewed by Robert
Grossman, MD
Last updated January 2007
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