What Makes a Good Donor?
While many people are willing to be living donors, not everyone has the qualities necessary to participate in living donation. Donors must be chosen carefully in order to avoid outcomes that are medically and psychologically unsatisfactory. At a minimum, all potential donors must be genuinely willing to donate, physically fit, in good general health; and free from high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease and heart disease. Beyond these basic requirements, a representative from the transplant center will meet with the potential living donor to discuss the donors individual circumstances and to conduct compatibility tests. Individuals considered for living donation are usually between 18-60 years of age. Gender and race are not factors in determining a successful match.
