Is it safe to donate a kidney?

Living kidney donation is a well-established procedure with excellent outcomes for donors. Donors go on to live healthy, active lives with one kidney and receive thorough medical evaluations and follow-up care.

What is living kidney donation??

Living kidney donation is when a healthy person donates one of their kidneys to someone in need. Most people have two kidneys but only need one to live a healthy, full life.

Why does Jonathan need a living donor??

Jonathan is living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), which is causing his kidneys to fail. The average wait time for a kidney from a deceased donor in Illinois is 7 years — and Jonathan doesn’t have that long. A living donor gives him the best chance at a faster transplant and a healthier future.

Does the donor need to be a family member or the same blood type?

Not necessarily. A donor doesn’t need to be a relative — many living donors are friends or even strangers. And if you're not a direct match, there are programs like paired kidney exchange that can still help Jonathan get a kidney.

What is a paired kidney exchange?

A paired kidney exchange — also called a kidney swap — is an option if you're healthy and willing to donate, but not a match for Jonathan.

Here’s how it works:
You’re paired with another recipient and donor in the same situation. You donate your kidney to someone you are a match for, and in return, their donor gives a kidney to Jonathan. It’s all arranged through a national program, and it allows multiple lives to be saved through one generous act.

You can still help Jonathan, even if you’re not a direct match.

Paired kidney exchange is truly amazing because it turns the barrier of donor–recipient incompatibility into a bridge for saving lives—a willing donor can give to someone else so each recipient receives a better-matched kidney, improving outcomes and longevity. What's more, you could be the crucial "missing link" that completes a transplant chain, sparking a domino effect where a single gift leads to multiple lives saved, not just one .

What’s the process to find out if I’m a match?

It starts with a simple, confidential health questionnaire through the transplant center. If you're a potential match, they’ll guide you through the next steps with full support and medical care.

Will I have to pay for anything if I become a donor?

No. All medical expenses related to the donation are covered by Jonathan’s insurance. Additional support is available for travel or lost wages during recovery.