Organ transplantation has become an accepted medical treatment for end-stage renal disease or kidney failure. The facts prove it. But only you can help make it happen...here's how: 

• Designate your decision on your driver's license
• Tell your family about your donation decision
• Tell your physician, faith leader, and friends
• Include donation in your advance directives, will, and living will

Sign-up today to become an organ donor.   

Living Kidney Donation

Unfortunately, the number of kidneys available for transplant is not keeping up with demand.  Living kidney donations are a way to close the gap.  Donating a kidney to someone in need is one of the noblest gestures and the most selfless gift anyone can make.  

There are different types of living donation, which generally are determined by two factors--(1) whether the donor and recipient are biologically related and (2) whether the donor is directing the donation. "Directing" means the donor identifies the specific person to whom he or she is donating.

• Living related donation: the living donor directs the donation to a specific recipient who is a blood relative (such as a parent, child, or sibling). Looking at UNOS data for living kidney donations made since 1988, about 75% were living related donations.
• Living unrelated donation: the living donor directs the donation to a specific recipient who is not a blood relative (such as a spouse, a friend, or co-worker). About 24% of living kidney donations since 1988 were living unrelated donations.
• Living non-directed donation: the living donor does not direct the donation. Instead, the recipient is selected from a list of compatible people on a kidney waiting list. This form of donation is also sometimes called "anonymous" donation because the donor and recipient do not necessarily ever meet. Only about 1% of living kidney donations are of this type.