In order to be a candidate for living donation, the donor must be between the ages of 18 and 60. Additionally, the donor must be healthy both medically and psychologically and have a blood type that is compatible with the recipient’s.
Some of the most common reasons for eliminating a potential donor are:
- Incompatible blood types
- Liver disease, hepatitis
- Significant cardiovascular disease
- Significant pulmonary disease
- Active alcohol or substance abuse
- HIV infection
- Morbid obesity
- Pregnancy
- Others as determined by the transplant team
Though potential donors are usually immediate family members such as mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, or daughters, distant relatives and close friends can also donate.
The Donation ProcessThe following steps provide an overview of the donation process from the donor’s view. Each step is essential to minimizing the risks to the donor and must be completed before proceeding to the next step. More detailed information about testing and procedures can be found in the Initial Consultation section.
Step One
The blood type of the recipient and the blood type of the donor is tested and confirmed as compatible. The following table shows compatible blood type matches:
| Recipient’s Blood Type | Donors Blood Type |
|---|---|
| AB | A, B, AB, O |
| B | B, O |
| A | A, O |
| O | O |
Step Two
The donor meets with the transplant team for an initial consultation (surgeon, coordinator, social worker) and a discussion of the surgical procedure. A comprehensive history and physical exam is performed. The donor has blood work done.
Step Three
The donor is interviewed by the social worker. The following tests are done: Chest X-ray, EKG, and an MRI of the liver. If the donor is over 50 years of age - an echocardiogram and a stress test may be done. If the donor is a smoker - a pulmonary function test may be done.
Step Four
The donor is interviewed and examined by the hepatologist (liver specialist).
Step Five
The transplant team meets and reviews all of the information. If the donor cleared for surgery a surgical date is set.
Step Six
The donor meets again with the entire transplant team two weeks before the surgical date. The donor has a second meeting with the social worker. The donor donates a unit of blood for surgery. The donor receives prescriptions for iron and a first injection of a medication called epogen. The informed consent for surgery is reviewed and signed.
Step Seven
The donor receives a second injection of epogen a week before surgery.
Step Eight
The donor and the recipient are admitted the day before surgery.
