Living Organ Donation

There are two organs in the body which can be donated by a living individual: the liver and the kidney. Living donor kidney transplants occur when a healthy individual with two functioning kidneys agrees to donate one kidney to someone who is on dialysis or may need dialysis in the near future. 
Living liver donation occurs when a healthy person donates a portion of their liver to someone in need of a liver transplant. There are many benefits to living organ donation, including shorter wait times, lower risk of rejection and a greater chance for a successful outcome.

If you are considering becoming a living organ donor, you may have questions. Although most living donors are relatives or friends of the recipient, this is not a requirement. Individuals can be evaluated as altruistic or anonymous living donors and matched with anyone in need based on body size and blood type.  

Donate your kidney     Donate your liver

What can I expect with living organ donation?

For those interested in becoming a living donor, an extensive evaluation is done to ensure the potential donor is healthy and at minimal risk for complications. Living donors should generally be at least 19 years old and in good health with normal kidney or liver function.  Living kidney or liver donors usually do not have to pay for the medical costs related to donation. These costs are typically covered as part of the transplant process. A living kidney or liver donor should have no financial obligation for the evaluation, including laboratory testing, consultations, radiology, surgery, hospital stay and two-week follow-up care. Learn more about how living donor transplants are paid for here. 

The length of surgery can vary depending on the organ being donated. Kidney donation surgeries generally last two to three hours, whereas liver donation surgeries normally last four to six hours. If at any point the surgeon is concerned about the donor’s condition, the surgery will be stopped. Donor safety is our primary concern. Most living liver donors are hospitalized five to seven days after surgery, while most kidney living donors are hospitalized one to three. Recovery continues at home after surgery. For kidney donors, at-home recovery can last four to six weeks. For liver donors, at-home recovery can last three to four weeks. 

Why you should choose Nebraska Medicine

As the only living donor facility in Nebraska, we offer follow-up appointments at six months, one year and two years after donation.

Both our liver and kidney programs are recognized nationally for their pediatric and adult transplant programs. Our kidney transplant team has extensive experience coordinating large-scale transplant chains that lead to multiple people receiving a kidney from a compatible donor on the same day. The Nebraska Medicine kidney transplant program began in 1970.

Our liver transplant team has performed transplants for over 40 years and is considered expert in living-related, reduced-size and auxiliary liver transplants. 

When the care required needs the most innovative, leading-edge and unique services available, Nebraska Medicine is the place to be. Learn more about our world-renowned transplant program, which has transformed lives for over 50 years.