Living Kidney Donor

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Just as the Norton Thoracic Institute’s lung transplant program has ascended to national and regional recognition, the Norton’s liver and kidney transplant programs are making a similar ascent thanks to the same patient-first culture of excellence and industry-besting outcomes.

Our living donor program is certified with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services. We use a multidisciplinary team approach to donor care and take a holistic approach to kidney donation, considering both, long and short term risks.

Why Donate a Kidney as a Living Donor?

Living donors make thousands of kidney transplants possible every year. Living donors can be related to the recipient or may be a friend or stranger, but must be 18 years of age or older. Medical costs associated with the living donor evaluation are typically paid for by the recipients’ insurance, and there are several living donor organizations that can support associated costs.

Advantages When Receiving A Living Donor Organ

There are several benefits for kidney transplant recipients when they are given a kidney from a living donor. These may include:

  • A living donor kidney may last 15-20 years compared to a deceased donor kidney which is 6-12 years.

  • A living donor kidney may begin to work immediately at transplant

  • Eliminates the long wait times to receive a deceased donor kidney transplant

  • If a donor does not match their intended recipient,  a donor may participate in a paired exchange that actually helps foster more transplants.

Patient-First Focus

Our patient-first culture drives every member of our team to provide unparalleled care to patients who are interested in being a living donor and to foster a collaborative working relationship among physicians, patients and the living donor team.

Each donor receives personalized care from a multi-disciplinary team of nephrologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, social workers, psychiatrists and financial coordinators. Each donor is assigned a nurse transplant coordinator, who guides the patient and family through the transplant process which includes evaluation, recipient matching, surgery, and recovery. 

Examples of our patient-first focus

  • Our living donors are carefully screened to ensure they are healthy, and donation poses little short and long term risk to their overall health.

  • Living donors can change their mind at any time with no obligation 

  • Timely and speedy initial consultation appointments, highlighted by collaborative results with contracted payers including AHCCCS, Mercy Care, Medicare, and many popular commercial plans.

  • Expediting care-coordination and easing the stress of the donor evaluation process.

  • Social workers help patients facing psychosocial or socioeconomic challenges, with professional counseling and other services to help patients cope with and resolve their problems.

  • Expert, experienced team of living donor specialists, including board-certified transplant nephrologists and transplant surgeons.    

Learn More

For more information on the living donor program at Norton Thoracic Institute at St. Joseph’s, please call a living donor coordinator today. Ensuring the best possible outcomes for your patients is our team's top priority in our role as your transplant experts. By collaborating closely, we can achieve great results together.