This document provides information about kidney transplantation and living donation. It discusses why transplants are needed, the benefits they provide over dialysis, and common myths about transplants. Living donor transplantation is described as the best option, with faster waiting times and better outcomes than deceased donor transplants. Statistics on transplant waiting lists, numbers performed annually, and donor types are presented. The document addresses who can be a living donor, the donation process and risks, and next steps for recipients.

1. The Transplant Journey
Options for life
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2. Disclosure
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
You may find particular information surprising. This is
here to inform so that you can make the best decision
for your health and life using accurate facts.
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3. Why?
• Why are you here today?
• Why are transplants needed?
• Why do kidney patients choose transplant?
• Why do people donate their kidneys?
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4. Why are transplants needed?
• When native kidneys fail, a replacement option
must be implemented
– Hemodialysis
– Peritoneal Dialysis
– Transplant
• Transplant offers better quality of life
– No requirement of maintenance dialysis after transplant
– Dietary and fluid restrictions change
• Transplant offers superior survival chances in most
cases
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5. Some common myths
• “If I get a transplant and it fails, I will die.”
– FACT – Patients with failed transplants return to or, in
the case of patients not currently on dialysis, initiate
dialysis and can get re-transplanted
– If you are a dialysis patient, you likely only see failed
transplants at your center because that’s where the
patient returns if the transplant fails. Don’t let that be
the “idea” you have of transplant.
• “If I get a transplant, I will have to take 100 pills a
day.”
– FACT – the most commonly prescribed transplant
medicine regimen involves 3 medications.
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6. Some common myths
• “Kidney transplants aren’t successful.”
– FACT – 1 year kidney transplant success rates are over
93% nationally
– FACT – 3 year kidney success rates are 85% nationally
– The type of kidney transplant you get can impact length
of kidney survival
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7. Why do kidney patients
choose transplant?
• To have a life without the requirement of dialysis
• To go back to work
• To have a more normal life
– Eat favorite foods
– Drink more freely
• To feel better and have more energy
• To do more of the things they like to do
• To watch family grow and develop
• To live a longer life
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8. Why do people donate
their kidneys?
• To help my loved one to feel better
• To make a difference in the person’s life
– Donor’s get immense satisfaction knowing they have, at
least, attempted to help even if the kidney doesn’t work
• To grow old together
• To get the family unit back to a more “normal” state
– No more 5 am dialysis trips
• To help save the life of my ____________
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9. Why the focus on living
donor transplant?
• It is THE BEST option for transplant recipients
• Waiting time is a fraction of deceased donor
• Superior graft and patient survival
– Shorter “ischemic” time on the kidney
– No “brain death” as in deceased donation
• Can be done while recipient is healthy before
long term effects of dialysis develop
• And then there is the data -
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11. Survival
USRDS Annual Report, 2012
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12. Question
How many patients are on the national transplant
waiting list? (All organs)
123,339
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13. The List
Based on OPTN data as of January 15, 2015
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14. Question
Approximately how many kidney transplants were
performed in 2014 in the United States?
Total – 13,124
Deceased – 7,865
Living – 5,259
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15. Donations by donor type
2004 Annual Report of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients: Transplant Data
1994-2003. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Division of
Transplantation, Rockville, MD; United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, VA; University Renal Research and Education Association, Ann Arbor, MI.
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16. How long does it take?
On The List
2004 Annual Report of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients: Transplant Data
1994-2003. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Division of
Transplantation, Rockville, MD; United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, VA; University Renal Research and Education Association, Ann Arbor, MI.
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17. The faster the transplant,
the better the data looks.
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18. Who can be a donor?
• All people (19 – 65 years old)
• By being a kidney donor, you would not only be
helping out your loved one, but it would also allow
another person to move up higher on the list. So,
you will be helping two people, not just
one.
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19. As a living donor, what are my options?
– Laparoscopic Nephrectomy
• Multiple small incisions (3-4)
• Single incision
– Open Nephrectomy
• < 1% convert to “open” when intent is Laparoscopic*
*2004 Annual Report of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients: Transplant Data
1994-2003. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Healthcare Systems Bureau, Division of
Transplantation, Rockville, MD; United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, VA; University Renal Research and Education Association, Ann Arbor, MI.
MatchMyKidney.com

20. What if my donor isn’t
compatible with me?
• We can investigate “swapping” of your kidney for
one that is compatible with myself
– Internal swaps (loops)
– External swaps (chains)
– This can also be advantageous for the recipient with
difficult matching issues
• 25% higher chance of transplant when involved in swaps
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21. A Few Important Points For
Living Donors
• Donor safety is the top priority!
– Should the donor ever need a transplant, there is a
national policy that would give them priority on the list
– The risk of death to the donor is <1% (3 in 10,000)
– Approximately 5 % chance of risk to the donor for
common issues related to any surgery
• Pain, infection, pneumonia, blood clotting, anesthesia risk, etc.
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22. As a recipient, what can I
do next?
• Empower through knowledge
– Keep learning
– Seek out information about your condition, the
transplant journey
– Attend educational courses when available
• Navigate The Wait
• Find your “Ah-ha!” moment
– When you shift your way of thinking from “asking” to
“informing” there is freedom in the process
– Share your situation and let people be moved to action
on their own way
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23. Partner with your
Champion!
• Let your loved ones help!
• Don’t resist assistance
• They are wanting to help because they love you and
are concerned for your futures
• Drink coffee
– Derks Coffee Shop
– Starbucks
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24. – QUESTIONS
Ustransplant.org (outcomes)
Transplantliving.org (resource for all aspects of Transplant
or living donation
UNOS.org (volumes, outcomes, resources)
Houstonmethodist.org/transplant
Kidney.org (national kidney foundation)
LKDN.org (living kidney donor network)
Livingdonationcalifornia.org
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