Kidney Transplantation
Kidney Transplantation is the preferred method of treatment for patients with advanced kidney disease. In general a kidney transplant prolongs survival and provides a better quality of life compared to remaining on dialysis. The Transplant Team at the John C. McDonald Regional Transplant Center has performed more than 1,500 kidney transplants in the last three decades.
Indications for Kidney Transplantation at John C. McDonald Regional Transplant Center
- End stage renal disease
- Chronic kidney disease with estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) less than or equal to 20 ml/min/m2
- Age greater than or equal to 18 years at the time of listing
Once approved for a kidney transplant, patients are strongly encouraged to seek out potential living donors. If a suitable living donor is identified, evaluated, and approved, the transplant surgery can be scheduled. If no living donor is identified, the patient will remain on the kidney wait list for a deceased donor kidney.
Living Donor Transplantation
When someone is choosing to become a living donor, they are providing a life sustaining gift. Individuals interested in becoming a living donor will speak with members of our Living Donor Team.
A kidney from a living donor has better long-term survival rates than kidney from a deceased donor. The waiting time for a deceased donor kidney could potentially be three to six years; therefore, kidney donation from a living donor is always the preferred option when available.
The living donor undergoes extensive evaluation by the multi-disciplinary team to determine if he/she is physically and psychologically a good candidate. The surgeon and nephrologist who are evaluating the donor are not involved in the evaluation of the kidney recipient, allowing them to provide an unbiased evaluation and advice to the donor.
After donation, the living donor is required to follow-up at six months, one year, and two years, or more often as needed.