What is the most common organ to donate whilst a person is alive?
The most common organ donated by living people is a kidney, as a healthy person can lead a completely normal life with only one functioning kidney. It is also possible for a living person to donate part of their liver. In very rare circumstances, it may also be possible to donate a segment of a lung and also part of the small bowel. For all forms of living donor transplantation, the risk to the donor must be considered very carefully. Before a transplant can go ahead, there must have been a very thorough process of medical assessment. As with all surgery, there is an element of risk attached. More information on living kidney donation can be found on the Living kidney donation: Questions and Answers page of the NHSBT website.
