Size and location of scar may vary.
Right now, someone in Houston needs a kidney. Imagine what it would feel like to help save their life and enable them to spend more time with their loved ones. Imagine what it would feel like to donate your kidney and make an impact in your own community.
+4000 Houstonians
are currently on the kidney transplant waitlist. That’s far more people than the number of donor kidneys available.
4 years
is the average wait time for a donor kidney in the US. During that wait, people are on dialysis, which only partially replicates kidney function. Dialysis can be physically and emotionally draining.
Nearly 50%
of people on the transplant waitlist die within 4 years.
Did you know that if you have two healthy kidneys, you can generally donate one and continue to live a normal life? That’s because it only takes one healthy kidney to keep your body functioning normally. This process of donating your kidney while you’re alive is called a living donation.
You don’t need to know or be related to someone who needs a kidney to become a living kidney donor. You can donate anonymously. Your kidney will be matched to the person on the transplant waitlist who is most compatible and has the highest need.
Many living donors describe donating a kidney as personally transformative and deeply rewarding. It is an opportunity to contribute to the greater good and help save the life of a fellow Houstonian.
After you donate, you’ll have one or more scars from the surgery, which are usually a few inches long. Meanwhile, the recipient may enjoy 15-20 years or more with the kidney that you’ve donated.
Your entire journey, from that first conversation about donating to the surgery, will involve a transplant center. The process might be slightly different depending on the center, but here are some things you can expect.
Not everyone can donate a kidney, so as a first step, a medical team at the transplant center will determine if you meet the requirements. The process begins with you completing the transplant center’s online questionnaire. Next, the center will contact you and arrange further tests, such as physical exams and blood tests. You may also meet with a social worker or psychiatrist. The screening process determines if you are healthy enough to donate and gives you the chance to learn about the risks and benefits.
Screening is free and comes with zero commitment. You can change your mind at any time, even if you’re approved as a donor.
Ready to save a life?
CHOOSE TRANSPLANT CENTER
After you’re approved as a donor, you will be matched to a person who is most in need. You, the recipient, and the surgery team will then agree on the surgery date. You will not be given any information about your recipient ahead of the surgery, but in many cases, recipients and donors mutually agree to meet after the surgery.
Living kidney donor transplants have a 98% success rate within the first year—so your donation will make an enormous difference. Most kidney donations involve laparoscopy. Laparoscopy requires small incisions, so it’s minimally invasive. Pain medication is only needed for a short time after the surgery. On average, donors only stay in the hospital for about 1 or 2 nights.
As with any surgery, there are some risks involved. Short-term risks of the surgery include pain, infection, blood clots, blood loss, allergic reaction to anesthesia, pneumonia, injury to surrounding tissue or other organs, and in extremely rare cases, death.
After the surgery, it takes about 4-5 weeks to fully recover and get back to normal. To protect your remaining kidney, you may need to drink plenty of water, eat healthy, and take extra precautions with contact sports. Speak to your care team to find out more about protecting your kidney, what to avoid, and if you’re planning on becoming pregnant.
Long-term complications are extremely rare, but can include high blood pressure, reduced kidney function, kidney failure, and hernia.
Donating a kidney to someone you’ve never met may be one of the most selfless things you can do. Amazingly, hundreds of people do it every year—people of various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. That’s why there is plenty of support available to help this very special group of people with any challenges they may face along their journey.
GET MORE INFORMATION
FIND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
HEAR FROM DONORS
Want to learn more about how living donation works? The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit organization with plenty of resources to help you dive deeper into the process.
VISIT UNOS WEBSITE
Wondering about travel expenses or lost wages during recovery? The National Living Donor Assistance Center can provide financial support to living donors.
VISIT DONOR ASSISTANCE CENTER
There is nothing better than hearing from someone who has been through this process. The Living Donor Storytelling Project is a community of living donors and recipients who are happy to share their stories to inspire others.
SEE DONOR STORIES
You’re one step away from making a huge difference. Start the living kidney donor screening process by selecting a Houston transplant center below.
6445 Main Street
Houston, TX 77030
6720 Bertner Avenue
Houston, TX 77030
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77555
2002 Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
I want to find a transplant center near me, but I don’t live in Houston.
Sanofi is a global healthcare company dedicated to bringing important therapies to transplant patients. We are committed to working together as a trusted partner with the transplant community, helping to improve the lives of transplant patients.
Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.
Intended for U.S. Residents only.
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