Kidney Transplant - Living Donor
You can save a life
A living donor kidney transplant happens when someone who is still alive gives one of their healthy kidneys to a person with advanced kidney disease. The donor’s remaining kidney is able to meet the body’s needs.
At Vanderbilt Health, we are committed to protecting and preserving the health and well-being of potential donors. If you decide to become a living donor, your choice must be completely voluntary and free from pressure, guilt or financial payment.
Why become a living donor
- There are not enough deceased donor kidneys for those who need one. A donation from a living donor can significantly shorten the amount of time a recipient must wait to receive a transplant.
- With living donor kidney transplants, surgery is scheduled in advance, at the donor and recipient’s convenience. The recipient can get a kidney before they become too sick.
- A living kidney donor can expect a normal, healthy life.
- Our team of physicians, nurse coordinators, donor advocates and social workers will work closely with you about eligibility, health considerations and any other concerns.
- Donor evaluation is free to you. If you become a donor, your surgery, hospital stay and follow-up visits are free, too.
Meet Your Care Team
Bernard J. DubrayJr, MD
- Dialysis Access, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Laparoscopic Kidney Donor Surgery, Pancreas Transplantation, Pediatric Kidney Transplant, Pediatric Surgery, Renal Transplantation
Rachel C. ForbesMD, MBA, FACS
- Dialysis Access, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Laparoscopic and Robotic Donor Surgery, Pancreas Transplantation, Pediatric Kidney Transplant, Pediatric Surgery, Renal Transplantation
April L. DemersAPRN, MSN, BSN
- End Stage Kidney Disease, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Renal Transplantation, Surgical Problems in Patients with Pancreas Disease, Transplant, Transplant Surgery
Tina NguyenBSN, MSN, APRN
- Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Renal Transplantation, Transplant, Transplant Surgery
Princess J. SheltonFNP
- Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Renal Transplantation, Transplant, Transplant Surgery
Why Choose Kidney Transplant - Living Donor at Vanderbilt
- Paired donor exchange
We offer paired kidney donations for patients who have a willing living donor with an incompatible blood type or tissue. This allows the incompatible pair to exchange a kidney with another donor/recipient pair on the wait list. Both recipients receive a healthy kidney with a shorter wait time. We also work with other transplant centers around the nation to create chains of kidney donors and recipients and speed up the transplant process for more people.
- Knowledge and experience
Vanderbilt Health is the largest kidney transplant program in Tennessee, performing more than 300 transplants each year. That means our specialists have the expertise to perform the most complex transplant procedures with excellent outcomes.
- Excellent outcomes
People who receive a kidney from a living donor have a better chance for a longer, healthier life. Kidneys from living donors tend to last longer than deceased donor kidneys. Also, if you have a living donor, you don’t have to wait on a list for a kidney to become available from a deceased donor.
- Comprehensive care
We are committed to protecting and preserving the health and well-being of our living donors as well as our organ recipients. Every donor is paired with a living donor advocate who solely represents them and their interests and makes sure their needs are met. Living donors are evaluated carefully by a team of physicians to ensure they are able to live a healthy life without long-term complications after donating.
- Convenient services
We provide an online form to complete if you are considering becoming a living organ donor. Being evaluated for donation is free. If you donate, your surgery, hospital stay and follow-up visits are financially covered as well.
- Support services
Our transplant center provides many support services, including social workers, transplant pharmacists and a dedicated nurse coordinator. They will guide you through the transplant process. We also offer a unique return-to-work program to help you resume employment and restore your emotional and financial well-being.
Are You Able to Donate?
Tests, Treatments and Services
Screening and testing we offer to people who are interested in donating a kidney include:
- Consultations with transplant surgeons and other specialists
- Imaging tests
- Pathology and other laboratory tests
- An independent living donor advocate (ILDA) who will communicate and advocate on your behalf