Live Kidney Donation
Kidney Donation and Transplantation
The number of patients treated for end stage renal disease (ESRD) with dialysis and transplantation continues to increase worldwide. In New Zealand the number of people on dialysis is predicted to increase at a rate of 4-6% annually. Factors influencing this are:
- an aging population
- better survival for people with diabetes and heart disease
- increased susceptibility to kidney disease in Maori and Pacific people
In New Zealand where there are almost 1700 people receiving peritoneal or kidney machine dialysis, the shortage of organ donors in this country is a major concern and is an area currently being looked at by the government. One of the areas of discussion has been raising awareness of organ donation and education around this issue.
Many calls are received on the 0800 KIDNEY line regarding organ/kidney donation, some of the commonly asked questions are;
Who can donate?
Individuals over the age of 18 can indicate their desire to be an organ donor by having this included on their drivers licence and expressing their wishes to their next of kin. It is important the next of kin know your wishes.
Can you donate a kidney while you are still alive?
Over 50% of all kidney transplants in New Zealand are performed with living donors. This could be a parent, brother or sister, or child. The patient's spouse or a more distant relative or friend can be considered as a potential donor. A relative will usually have blood and body tissue most similar to another relative. The more similar a donor and recipient’s tissues are, the less likely the recipient’s immune system will reject the new kidney.
What tests can be done to determine if I might be a potential donor?
Blood tests are done to determine whether you and the recipient have compatible blood types and matching antigens.
Does blood type have anything to do with my ability to be a donor?
Yes. There are four blood types. Some blood types can be mixed and some cannot.
If you have blood group ABO – O, you are considered the “universal donor”. You can donate to any blood group, but you can only receive from group O
If you have ABO – A, you can donate to an A and AB recipient and you can receive from an A or O donor.
If you have ABO –B, you can donate to a B and AB recipient and you can receive from a B or O donor.
If you have ABO-AB, you can donate to an AB recipient and you can receive from an A, B, AB, or O donor. You are a “universal recipient”.
The decision to donate a kidney is a major one. You must seek information and discuss your concerns with family, friends and transplant professionals.
There are no guarantees the transplanted kidney will work or the kidney recipient will take good care of themselves for the rest of their life. For the recipient this includes anti rejection medications and clinic visits.
It is important you make the decision which is right for you. You must feel comfortable with your choice.
If you would like any further information phone 0800 543 639 and we can refer you on to the transplant coordinator in your region.
Financial assistance for live organ donors
If you would like information on financial assistance for live organ donors from Work and Income Click Here