Explore Your Options at Methodist Dallas Medical Center
The Methodist Transplant Specialists Living-Donor Kidney Transplant Program provides patients with access to living donor transplants, which are often associated with improved long-term outcomes and survival, while prioritizing the health and safety of donors throughout the process.
Interested in learning more about giving the gift of life? Start by filling out our application (Note: this application is NOT a commitment to donate)
Living Donor Application - English
Living Donor Application - Spanish
Living Donor Education Video
Learn the benefits and process of living donor transplant at Methodist Dallas in this brief video.
What is Living Organ Donation?
Living organ donation occurs when a healthy individual donates an organ—or a portion of an organ—to help someone in need of a transplant. The most common type of living donation is kidney donation, followed by living liver donation, in which a portion of the liver is transplanted.
Living donors may be family members, friends, coworkers, or even altruistic donors who choose to help someone they do not know. By providing an organ before one becomes available from a deceased donor, living donation can significantly reduce wait times and help patients receive a transplant sooner.
For many transplant candidates, living donation offers the opportunity for improved quality of life, better long-term outcomes, and a greater chance of a successful transplant.
What Are the Advantages of Living Donation?
A living donor kidney transplant offers several potential advantages compared to receiving a kidney from a deceased donor.
Excellent long-term outcomes
Living donor kidneys often function longer and perform better than kidneys from deceased donors. Because the organ is transplanted shortly after donation, it typically begins functioning more quickly following surgery.
Shorter wait times
The wait for a deceased donor kidney can often take years. Living donation can significantly reduce that wait, allowing patients to receive a transplant sooner and potentially spend less time on dialysis.
Greater access to transplantation
Every successful living donor transplant helps reduce demand on the deceased donor waiting list, increasing opportunities for other patients awaiting transplantation.
Planned and coordinated care
Living donation allows both the donor and recipient to undergo thorough evaluations and schedule procedures at a time that works for everyone involved. This planned approach helps ensure the donor's health and safety while providing the recipient with a high-quality donor organ.
Types of Living Kidney Donation
At Methodist Transplant Specialists, living donor transplants generally fall into one of the following categories:
Living Donor – Related
A living donor chooses to donate an organ to a biologically related family member, such as a parent, sibling, child, or other relative.
Living Donor – Non-Related
A living donor provides an organ to someone who is not biologically related to them. In many cases, the donor and recipient know one another, such as friends, coworkers, spouses, or members of the same community. Some donors choose to make an altruistic donation to a recipient they do not know and may never meet.
Paired Donation
Also known as a paired exchange or donor swap, paired donation occurs when a living donor is not medically compatible with their intended recipient. If another donor-recipient pair is in a similar situation, the donors may be matched with the other recipients, allowing both transplant candidates to receive a compatible kidney.
Who Can Be a Living Donor?
To be considered a living donor, individuals must meet certain criteria designed to protect both their health and that of the transplant recipient. At Methodist Dallas Medical Center, living donors must:
→ Be at least 18 years of age
→ Be in good overall physical and mental health
→ Have a clear understanding of the risks and responsibilities associated with living donation
→ Be willing to undergo a comprehensive medical, surgical, and psychological evaluation
Our transplant team carefully evaluates each potential donor to ensure that living donation can be performed as safely as possible and that donors are fully informed throughout the process.
Making the Decision
Before deciding to become a living donor, it is important to fully understand the donation process, including the potential risks and the emotional, financial, and physical considerations involved. Living donation is entirely voluntary, and your decision should be based on what is right for you.
You have the right to pause or withdraw from the donation process at any time, for any reason. If you choose not to proceed, your decision and the reasons behind it will remain confidential.
The transplant team at Methodist Dallas Medical Center is committed to providing the education, guidance, and support you need to make an informed decision with confidence.
Resources for Recipients
For many patients in need of a kidney transplant, living donation offers the best opportunity to receive a transplant sooner and reduce time spent waiting for a deceased donor organ. A living donor transplant can often lead to shorter wait times and excellent long-term outcomes.
We understand that starting a conversation about living donation can feel overwhelming. Many patients are unsure how to approach family members, friends, or others who may be interested in helping. To support you through this process, we have developed resources and educational materials designed to help you and your loved ones better understand living donation and navigate these important conversations with confidence.