Living kidney donation
You only need one of your two kidneys. That is why you can donate a kidney during your lifetime. This is called living kidney donation.
Living kidney donation means that a healthy person gives a kidney to a patient who needs one. Through the donation, the recipient has a better chance of feeling better and living longer. The donor can continue to live with one kidney after the surgery.
Donating a kidney
Every year, about 500 people choose to donate a kidney to someone else while they are alive. Often, donors choose to donate a kidney while alive because someone in their circle has a serious kidney condition. For example, a child, partner, or friend. But sometimes someone chooses to anonymously donate a kidney to a stranger, or to someone they have seen on television or social media.
Read more here about who you can donate to
Big decision
It is important that you never feel obligated to donate a kidney to someone, for example to a friend or family member. Donating a kidney is a big decision that you need to think about carefully. Living donation has advantages and disadvantages for both the recipient and the donor.
Anyone considering donating a kidney can make an appointment at a transplant hospital. The social worker or living donation coordinator can then provide more information during a conversation about the donation and everything that comes with it. It can also help to talk about donating a kidney with your family, partner, or children.
Not everyone who wants to donate a kidney can become a donor. There are a number of rules you must meet. For example, you must be at least 18 years old, choose to donate voluntarily, and be healthy.
Read more here about the conditions for living kidney donation
Bastiaan received a donor kidney from both his father and his mother
A kidney disease turned Bastiaan's young life upside down. At 18, Bastiaan (42) received a kidney from his mother, and in 2022, a kidney from his father followed. His son now appears to have the same rare condition.
Read his story here
Investigate whether you can donate
If someone indicates to the hospital that they want to donate a kidney, doctors will investigate whether they can be a suitable donor. Not everyone who wants to donate a kidney can become a donor. For example, they look extensively at whether you are healthy enough, whether you are making the decision voluntarily, and whether you can handle the emotions. And the donor's kidney must also be a good match for the recipient's body.
The exact procedure for the examinations varies per hospital. The specialists at the transplant hospital will provide more information about the necessary examinations. These examinations take time: it often takes a few months before you hear whether you are eligible to donate a kidney.
The surgery for donating a kidney
Once a donor is deemed suitable, the surgery is scheduled. There is often a period of several weeks between the moment the donor is cleared and the actual donation. This depends, among other things, on the health of the recipient and the urgency of the transplant.
After the surgery, the donor is also temporarily a 'patient' who must recover from an operation. The donor will therefore need to stay in the hospital for a few days afterward and will need several more weeks to recover from the donation. During this time, the donor is often unable to work and will require assistance.
The donor may stop the donation process at any time during the preparatory phase. This is also possible right up until the surgery. The doctors at the hospital will always respect this decision.
Frequently asked questions
What if I need a kidney myself later?
If you, as a kidney donor, ever need a donor kidney yourself later on, you will receive priority on the waiting list for a kidney from a deceased donor.Just like for any other patient, you will only be placed on the waiting list if examinations show that a transplant is possible. This rule only applies to kidney donations made in countries affiliated with Eurotransplant.
Do I receive compensation for kidney donation?
You are not allowed to receive money or large gifts for donating a kidney. Travel expenses, medical costs, and any loss of income are reimbursed. You can read more about this on the website of the Dutch Transplant Foundation.
Are there risks involved in donating a kidney?
Yes, as with any surgery, there are risks involved in donating a kidney. The specialists at the hospital can tell you more about what these risks are and how likely they are to occur. You can read more about this on the website of the Dutch Transplant Foundation.
How long does recovery take after a kidney donation?
How long it takes to recover after donating a kidney while living varies per person. For the first few weeks, you must take it easy as a donor and avoid physical labor. For example, you are not allowed to lift heavy objects and will need help at home. On average, donors are mostly recovered six weeks after the surgery. Fatigue can persist longer; this varies greatly from person to person. It often takes one to three months before you feel like yourself again, just as you did before the donation.
The treating team at the hospital can tell you more about recovery after the donation.
Where can I go for more information?
If you would like to donate a kidney while living or want more information about living kidney donation, you can contact a university hospital in your area.