Recently we attended a pre-transplant meeting to start the process and began exploring our transplant options. For educational purposes I will explain the three options in British Columbia.
Option One – Living Donor. A living Donor is matched with someone who needs a kidney transplant. This can be a family member, friend, or community member. The donor undergoes their own array of testing. This testing ensures they are healthy enough to donate. It also confirms they can continue being healthy after donation. You can live a normal life with one kidney. Still, they will monitor your kidney function for life out of precaution. Remember – kidney disease can start from something as simple as uncontrolled high blood pressure! If for some reason the Donor’s kidney fails in the future they are placed on top of the transplant list.
Option Two – Deceased Donor. Someone who graciously decided to donate their organs is matched with the person in need of the organ. Deceased donors do not last as long but they are still a choice that we are grateful for. See the website for more information about registering to be an organ donor.
Option Three -National Paired Exchange – For those who have a living donor who does not match them. For example: I could give my kidney to someone else. In return, someone else would give my husband their kidney.
We have completed all of my husband’s labs and testing and now it is my turn.
If you are interested in being an living organ donor, please consider contacting DonorOffice@providencehealth.bc.ca with your interest. You will undergo intense medical screening before you are approved, and you can back out at any time.
We do not want to pressure anyone – you cannot be pressured for a kidney in BC. Only contact Providence Health if you would like to and you can back out at any time.
So what does surgery look like?
Surgery happens in Vancouver. Donor stays in the hospital for 4 days. The person who receives the kidney will be in the hospital for about 5 days. Recovery can take 6-8 weeks. There are some financial resources available for people who need to take time off of work. If you are from the United States or another country – Canada will pay for your surgery. You would be expected to get your labs done in your own country and with your own insurance.
Thank you for reading and your ongoing support. The adventure continues – and so do I.
P.S. the AI image in this post.. the floating kidney.. killed me.
Kidney Soul 