Donating a kidney to a family member

Abstract

When a relative needs a kidney to survive, family members often impulsively offer to donate one without stopping to consider the physical, emotional, and financial ramifications, which can be considerable. The family's primary care physician can be very helpful in guiding and educating potential donors and, by arranging for screening to be done in the community, can ease the financial strain. The authors discuss the things a potential kidney donor should consider.

Living kidney donor relationship in caucasian and African American populations and implications for targeted donor education programs

“…Thus, LD transplantation occurred in merely 1.44% of the ESRD population (0.63% among the 148 400 AA with ESRD). Numerous studies have emphasized the need for a concentrated effort in the education of potential recipients and their respective families regarding the benefits of LD transplantation .…”