Top Living kidney donation facts

Around 1,000 living donor kidney transplants take place each year in the UK. These transplants give people with kidney disease a better quality of life and, in many cases, help them avoid years on dialysis. 

Living kidney donation has already transformed the lives of thousands of people. Here are ten essential facts to help you understand how living donation works and what to expect if you are thinking about becoming a donor. 

Fact 1: Living donors can donate a kidney

Living kidney donation allows healthy people to donate one of their kidneys to someone in need. To become a living donor, a person must go through a number of medical tests to make sure they’re healthy enough to donate. They must also have excellent kidney function and low risk for future kidney disease. Kidneys from living donors tend to have better long-term outcomes for recipients compared to kidneys that come from a deceased donor, so living donors play an important role in reducing the wait times for patients in need of a transplant.

Fact 2: Almost any healthy adult can be a living kidney donor 

You do not need to be related to the person you are donating to. Most donors in the UK are aged between 18 and around 70, but there is no fixed upper age limit – eligibility depends on your general health rather than your age alone. 

To donate, you will go through a thorough assessment that checks your kidney function, blood pressure, heart health, and overall wellbeing. Your blood type does not need to match the recipient either – the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme makes it possible to donate a kidney to help someone you know in need of a kidney even when you are not a direct match with them. 

Fact 3: Kidney transplants are common and safe

Kidney transplants are the most common organ transplants performed today. According to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), just under 3,000 kidney transplants (from both living and deceased donors) were performed in the UK in 2021/2022 alone. The success rates are high, with around 96% of living transplanted kidneys still working well one year after surgery. Advances in medical technology, including better surgical techniques and immunosuppressive drugs for recipients, have significantly improved the safety and outcomes and safety of kidney donations.

Fact 4: The kidney transplant waiting list is long

The national transplant waiting list for kidneys is long, with over 7,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant in the UK. Wait times can vary widely depending on factors such as blood and tissue type, where they live in the country, and the availability of donors. Increasing the number of living donors is very important in helping us to reduce these waiting times and save more lives.

Fact 5: Matching donors and recipients

Successful kidney transplants rely crucially on the donor’s kidney being a good ‘match’ for their recipient. Blood type and tissue matching are important to stop the recipient’s body from rejecting the new kidney. Advances in technology have also made it possible for some patients to receive kidneys from donors who were previously not considered a match, with more work in this area always ongoing. For more information, you can visit our dedicated page for more information on the kidney matching process.

Fact 6: Donors are needed from every community 

Kidney disease affects people from all backgrounds, but it is significantly more common in South Asian and Black communities in the UK. Patients from these communities also tend to wait longer for a transplant, because finding a well-matched kidney is more likely when donors come from a similar background. 

This means living donors from every community make a real difference – not only to the people they donate to directly, but to anyone waiting for a closer tissue match. 

Fact 7: Donor kidney function after donation

After donation, the donor’s remaining kidney usually gets bigger and works to make up for the loss of the other kidney. This process (known as ‘compensatory hypertrophy’) allows donors to keep good overall kidney function even with one kidney. Studies have shown that living kidney donors usually have normal kidney function and life expectancy after their donation.

Fact 8: Kidney donation surgery and recovery

The surgery for kidney donation is called a nephrectomy. It can be done using keyhole (or “laparoscopic”) surgery which reduces recovery time and leaves only a small scar. Most donors stay in the hospital for one to three nights after the operation. They may feel tender around where the operation happened for a few weeks, but can then return to normal activities within four to six weeks.

Fact 9: Lifestyle changes after donation

As long as the donor is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, then very few changes will be needed after donating a kidney. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting professional medical advice before engaging in anything that may injure the remaining kidney, like contact sports. Generally, most people can live long and healthy lives with just one kidney. More information can be found here on life with one kidney.

Fact 10: Donating a kidney should not leave you out of pocket 

All medical costs related to your kidney donation – assessments, surgery, follow-up care – are covered by the NHS. Donors can also claim back reasonable expenses such as loss of earnings, travel, and other costs directly related to donation, up to a set limit. They aim to leave you (financially) no better or worse off than you would be if you didn’t donate.  

Your Living Donor Co-ordinator will explain the reimbursement process early in your assessment. You can also read more on our financial considerations for kidney donors page. 

Fact 11: Risks and complications of kidney donation

Like any surgical procedure, kidney donation carries potential risks and complications. These can include infection, bleeding, blood clots, and reactions to the anaesthetics used during surgery. However, serious complications are rare, and the majority of donors recover without significant issues. Click here for more information on the risks of living kidney donation.

Fact 12: Transplants can be ‘pre-emptive’

‘Preemptive’ kidney transplants can sometimes be performed before the recipient begins dialysis. This offers several benefits, including better survival rates and improved quality of life for the recipient. Preemptive transplants can sometimes take place if there is a living donor ready and they meet certain medical criteria. This can reduce the need for long-term dialysis and reduce the overall burden on the healthcare system.

Fact 13: You can support kidney donation efforts

Even if you cannot donate a kidney, you can still support kidney donation efforts by raising awareness of living kidney donation, and sharing personal stories to inspire others. Raising awareness about the importance of kidney donation can help more people to consider living kidney donation and save more lives. Learn more by visiting our dedicated page on supporting our efforts.

By understanding and sharing these facts, we can contribute to a greater awareness of kidney donation and transplantation, ultimately helping to reduce wait times and improve the lives of those affected by kidney failure in the UK.

Thinking about becoming a donor? Here is what to do next 

You do not need to commit to anything to start exploring living kidney donation. Most people start with one or two small steps: 

• Read a donor story. Hearing from people who have donated is one of the most helpful ways to understand what the experience is really like. 

• Request a buddy. Our free, confidential Buddy Support Service connects you with someone who has first-hand experience of donating. There is no obligation to donate after speaking to someone. 

• Get in touch with our team. We are happy to answer any questions and connect you with the right next step – no commitment required. 

Frequently asked questions 

How do I start the process of donating a kidney? 

Get in touch with our team and we will guide you through the first steps. From there, you would be referred to your nearest transplant centre, which will arrange your initial health checks and walk you through the full assessment. 

Can I change my mind about donating a kidney? 

Yes, at any point. You are free to stop the process at any stage – right up to walking into surgery – and you do not need to give a reason. 

How long will I need off work after donating a kidney? 

Recovery after kidney donation surgery usually taking anything from two to 12 weeks, though this depends on the nature of your job. People in physically demanding roles may need a little longer.  

Will I meet the person who gets my kidney? 

If you are donating to someone you already know, then yes. If you are donating to a stranger, you will not be told anything about your donor unless they have agreed to share that information first. 

Is there an upper age limit for donating a kidney? 

There is no fixed upper age limit. Many people in their 60s, 70s, and even occasionally people in their 80s have successfully donated kidneys. However, before you can donate a kidney, there are a number of tests and investigations needed to make sure you are healthy enough to give a kidney, that your kidneys are currently working well, and that you are physically and emotionally ready for the donation.

Have a question that is not answered here? Get in touch with our team – we are here to help, and there is no obligation to donate after speaking to us.