Advantages of a Living Kidney Donation

 Since beginning this search, I have communicated with some really lovely people and some have told me about their experiences as a living kidney donor for either a loved one or a complete stranger. Since 1954, when the first living donor transplant took place, living donors have been making the ultimate gift around the world.

For people in kidney failure, a kidney transplant can extend and improve their lives. Both transplants from living and deceased donors extend lives but living donations have some additional benefits:

• Living donor kidneys last longer
• The kidney from a living donor may function better and sooner; kidneys from a deceased donor can take a while to start working
• The surgery can be scheduled at a convenient time for both the donor and the recipient (and all medical costs are covered by the recipient’s health care coverage)
• Donating a kidney can free up a kidney from a deceased donor for another person

While it is a big decision to donate a kidney, living donors can save lives. If you think it might be something that you are interested in, you can help by calling us at 770-310-2426 for info to do a 15-minute phone screening on being a living donor. You can also call the St. Luke’s Transplant Department directly to do the screening at 832-355-4100.  Just tell them your planned recipient is Dominique (Nikki) Brooks. Even if you are not a match to me, it may be possible to work out a swap with another recipient.

A living donor candidate is a person who is healthy, well-informed and makes a voluntary decision to donate one of their kidneys. Living donors must be over 18 and in good general health, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 30, a non-smoker, with no evidence of significant high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, heart disease or hepatitis.

Thanks for helping us find a living kidney donor.  Please spread the word and/or call us at 770-310-2426 for info to do a 15-minute phone screening or St. Luke’s Transplant Department directly at 832-355-4100 for me, Dominique Brooks.

Be Inspired — Give Life!

Dominique (Nikki) Brooks