1. Living Kidney Donation
Kari Rancourt RN BSN
Living Kidney Donor Coordinator
Pediatric Transplant Coordinator
Paired Kidney Exchange Coordinator

2. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Quick Facts
1st Living Kidney Donor Transplant
1954
Identical 23 year old twins
In ,061 kidney transplants performed nationally
Of these, 5,630 were living donors
In this June 4, 1955 file photo, Richard Herrick, left, and his twin brother Ronald, from Northborough, Mass. The identical twin brothers made medical history when Ronald donated one of his kidneys to Richard for a 1954 kidney transplant that was recognized as the world's first successful organ transplant. Richard lived eight years after receiving the transplant. Ronald died Dec. 27, 2010, in Augusta, Maine. He was 79.
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

3. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Why Living Donation?
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

4. Benefits for Recipient
Decreases Wait Time
Avoids or limits time on dialysis
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

5. Benefits for Recipient
Kidney usually works right away
Kidney usually lasts longer
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

6. Benefits for Recipient
Can be scheduled
Optimized for donor schedule, recipient health, well rested and fully staffed operating room
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

7. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Benefit for the Donor
No medical benefit, only risk
Positive feelings associated with helping someone in need.
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

8. Risk of Living Donation
Infection
Bleeding
Pain
Scars
Bowel Injury
Depression
Anxiety
Hernia
Kidney Failure
Death
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

9. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Myth #1
It is very risky to donate a kidney
FALSE
While there are risks with any surgery, it is generally considered safe to donate.
The evaluation is very thorough to ensure safety
In fact, evaluating people for kidney donation has saved lives
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

10. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Myth #2
Living Donors need to be related by blood
FALSE
Patients can find a living donor anywhere
Family
Friends
Coworkers
Church members
Neighbor
Total stranger (Altruistic or non-directed donor)
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

11. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Myth #3
Kidney donors have to make major lifestyle changes
FALSE
After recovering from surgery donors are encouraged to follow a healthy lifestyle
Healthy, balanced diet
Regular exercise
Drink plenty of water
They must avoid NSAIDS and IV contrast… that’s it.
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

12. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Myth #4
Women can’t have children after donating a kidney
FALSE
Most women of childbearing age who attempt to get pregnant after kidney donation are just as successful as women of the same age who have never donated.
Abdominal surgery in general may cause formation of scar tissue which can impact fertility.
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

13. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Myth #5
Kidney donors have a shorter life expectancy
FALSE
Living donation does not effect life expectancy
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

14. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Myth #6
Kidney donors are more likely to get kidney disease
FALSE
Sort of….
Kidney donors have lower risk as the general population to develop kidney disease…
….but are at a slightly higher risk than healthy people
Previous living donors who end up in need of a transplant are given priority on the list for a deceased donor transplant
General population lifetime risk for ESRD 3.2%, donor ESRD 0.9%, and non-donor ESRD 0.014%
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

15. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Myth #7
The transplant team cares more about the health of the recipient than they do about the health of the living donor.
FALSE
Donor safety is our top priority
Donors have the right to change their minds at any time
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

16. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Myth #8
Kidney donation will be a huge financial burden
FALSE
All costs are covered
While it is illegal to accept compensation, it is ok to accept help with out of pocket expenses
Travel assistance available to out of state donors
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

17. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Who can’t donate?
Obesity/Metabolic Syndrome
Kidney stones
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Polycystic kidneys
Anyone with current kidney disease or at increased risk for developing kidney disease
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

18. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Donor evaluation
Initial screening
Bloodwork
24 hour urine
Full day team evaluation
Preoperative visit + final bloodwork
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

19. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Surgery and recovery
Hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy
2-3 hours
2-3 days in the hospital
6-8 week recovery
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

20. Kidney Paired Donation
Can be as simple as a two way swap
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

21. Kidney Paired Donation
Or as complicated as…..
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

22. Barriers to Finding a Donor
Discomfort discussing a sensitive subject
Fear of asking someone to donate
Lack of knowledge about living donation
Assuming donors would have already contacted us
Screening potential donors
Not being willing to accept certain donors
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

23. Living Donor Champion Program
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

24. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Why we need Champions
Effects of kidney disease
Fatigue
Decreased mental acuity
Time demands of dialysis
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

25. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
What is the Program?
Two educational sessions and ongoing support group
Session I
All about transplant
All about living donation
Educates the Champion so that they are an expert in transplantation
Session II
How to ask
How to use social media
How to find a living donor
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

26. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Support Group
Guest speakers provided
Donors and Recipients who have participated in kidney swap programs
Previous living donors
Successful donor champions
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

27. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Questions?
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program

28. Hartford Hospital Transplant Program
Living Kidney Donation
Hartford Hospital Transplant Program