Donating an organ is one of the best things you can do for someone else. A selfless act that demonstrates your commitment to helping others,, donating a kidney is something that many people can do. The process of becoming aliving kidney donor can seem confusing at first with many people unsure about qualifications or lifestyle choices that could disqualify them from kidney donation.
While not everyone can become a kidney donor, Gift of Life Michigan is here to help provide a thorough understanding of disqualifications and help you better understand if you’re a potential match to become a kidney donor.
Basic Requirements to Become a Kidney Donor
There are a few basic requirements for donating a kidney. These include:
- Being in good overall health, with strong kidney function.
- Must be between the age of 18 – 70.
- You should have active health insurance.
- Should be under the care of a primary doctor who monitors your health regularly.
If you meet this basic criteria, consider contacting your local transplant hospital to ask about becoming a living kidney donor. Don’t have someone in mind to receive your kidney? You can be an altruistic (or “non-directed”) kidney donor.
Once you start the inquiry process about donating to a specific transplant recipient patient, you’ll be asked to participate in some screening tests to ensure you’re healthy enough to be a donor and a good medical match.
A few of these tests might include blood tests, tissue-typing tests, and a pre-surgery health screening.
What Can Disqualify You from Being a Kidney Donor?
While many people are eligible for kidney donation, there are a few specific factors that could disqualify you from becoming a donor. If you have any of these medical conditions, you might not be eligible:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Severe infection
- Hepatitis
- Cancer
Some lifestyle situations could disqualify someone from kidney donation, including smoking, obesity, and specific mental health issues, such as dementia.
Donations must always be voluntary. You should never feel pressured by anyone else to donate a kidney.
Additionally, it’s illegal to accept compensation for any donated organ, although expenses related to the donation can be reimbursed.
Even if you believe you have one of the conditions listed above, don’t disqualify yourself before the process has started.
Go ahead with the screening process and understand that many of these conditions can be managed or treated. The transplant hospital’s medical care team can help you determine whether you’re a good candidate for kidney donation.
Why Kidney Donation Matters
With more than2,400 Michigan residents on the waiting list and 80 percent waiting for a kidney transplant, becoming a kidney donor is an act that can save lives and change many others.
Making the choice to become a living kidney donor is the choice to help someone live a longer, healthier life.
Many people believe that organ donation is only possible after death.
However, living kidney donation is one of the most popular ways to get involved as an organ donor, since most people have two kidneys but only require one to live a long, healthy life.
Living kidney donation is a not a new science. In fact, it dates back to the 1950s, and these days, medical professionals have figured out how to make the process safe and streamlined for everyone involved.
A Small Act Can Make a Huge Difference
It only takes a small act to make a big difference in someone’s life.
If you want to change the course of someone’s future and give the gift of a longer life, start learning more about kidney donation and how you can get involved today. It only takes a few minutes to get started!
Also consider donating your organs, eyes and tissues to save and heal others at the end of your life. Medical or social histories that might prevent you from becoming a living kidney donor do not necessarily apply to deceased donation. Everyone can join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, which takes just a few minutes to do online.
Contact us at Gift of Life Michigan to learn more about organ donation and some of the ways you can help those in need.
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