What does a donor have to do to be tested and approved for organ donation?
The UW Transplant staff carefully reviews each person’s situation to see if the person is a suitable donor. Donors should be in good health, both physically and emotionally, and of an appropriate age. Certain medical problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and urinary tract or kidney problems could make someone ineligible for donation A donor can come with the recipient to UW Hospital and Clinics for the recipient’s evaluation. Blood samples will be drawn from a donor to ensure compatibility. If the donor is compatible, a medical work-up of the donor will be completed at a later date. Donors are educated on the risks associated with surgery, hospitalization and recovery. In addition, every donor has a “living donor advocate” assigned to them who meets with them to discuss their decision to donate to ensure that their questions have all been answered and that they are comfortable with their decision.
