Living donation
Living donation is donating an organ to a sick patient who needs it while the donor is alive. On this page you can read more about living donation.
The best-known form of living donation iskidney donation. People have two kidneys, but only need one to live a healthy life. Therefore, you can donate a kidney to help someone with sick, non-functioning kidneys.
During your lifetime you can alsodonate a part of your liver. The liver is a special organ. If a part is removed, the liver can grow back into a normally functioning liver within a few weeks. Therefore, you can donate a part to help a seriously ill patient.
Who can donate during their lifetime?
Not everyone can donate a kidney or part of their liver during their lifetime. The Organ Donation Act (Wod) sets out the rules that the donor must meet. These conditions are the same in all hospitals in the Netherlands.
You may only donate if you:
- are 18 years of age or older and are able to clearly express your wishes
- choose to donate of your own free will and receive no money or gifts for doing so
- are healthy and have a good physical condition
- do not have a (hereditary) disease that could cause problems later if you are missing a kidney or part of your liver
- are not pregnant
- do not have a blood disease, liver or kidney disease, or blood clotting problems
Who can you donate to during your lifetime?
In living donation, the donor can choose who receives the organ. This can be a family member or friend, but also someone you do not know.
Bastiaan received a kidney from both his mother and his father
Bastiaan has a hereditary kidney disease and has received two donor kidneys: one from each of his parents. The fact that his son now has the same kidney condition is tough. Bastiaan wants to support him – but in his own way.
More information
Would you like to read more about living donation?
Living kidney donation
In living kidney donation, the donor gives a kidney to a patient who does not have properly functioning kidneys. Both the donor and the recipient can live well with one kidney.
Living liver donation
In living liver donation, part of the liver is removed from a living person and transplanted into a patient with a severely diseased liver.
Frequently asked questions about living donation
Do you get paid if you donate a kidney or part of your liver?
In the Netherlands, you are not allowed to make money from donating a kidney or part of your liver.Living donation must always be voluntary and without payment. You are also not allowed to receive large gifts for the donation.
You can, however, receive compensation for expenses if you give an organ during your lifetime. You will be reimbursed for the costs you incur before and after the surgery. Think, for example, of travel expenses or extra childcare. The donor can apply for this expense reimbursementat the Dutch Transplantation Foundation.
Can you live with one kidney or without part of your liver?
You can live well with one healthy kidney. The remaining kidney partially takes over the work of the removed kidney. Your total kidney function is then about 65 to 75 percent of when you still had two kidneys. That is more than enough. Most people who have donated a kidney therefore notice no difference at all compared to when they still had two kidneys. You also do not need to take medication or follow a diet.
If someone donates part of their liver, it grows back within about six weeks. The liver then works normally again, just like before the surgery. During a liver donation, the surgeon also removes the gallbladder. The gallbladder helps with the digestion of fats. You can live well without a gallbladder, but sometimes you do need to adjust your diet.
How can you donate an organ during your lifetime?
If you want to donate a kidney or part of your liver during your lifetime, you must meet certain requirements. You must also be healthy enough to undergo surgery. For more information on how you can become a living donor, you can contact an academic hospital near you.