How long is the wait for a kidney transplant?
The wait for a transplant can range from a number of weeks to a several years. Many things are considered when an organ becomes available, including: · Tissue match (how close of a match is the organ to you) · Blood type · How long you have been waiting · Immune status/antibody levels · Distance (how close the organ is to you) · Medical urgency · Age (children tend to have shorter wait times) · Recipient availability (can you make it to the hospital in time?) · Current health · Willingness to have immediate surgery (are you ready for the surgery?) All of these factors can affect a person’s wait time for a kidney transplant. For more information about the transplant waiting list, visit the United Network for Organ Sharing’s Transplant Living website.
