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Being a Living Kidney Donor

Thinking about it is the hardest part. Here’s an honest look at what the process actually involves — the surgery, the recovery, the cost, and what happens if you’re not a match for Kim.

Who Can Be a Donor?

Donors must be at least 18 years old and in good overall health. It starts with registering online, followed by several screenings and tests so the transplant team can confirm that donating is safe for you and that you’re a match, before anything moves forward.

The Surgery and Recovery

Kidney donation surgery is done laparoscopically — a handful of small incisions rather than one large one — and is now a well-established, routine procedure. Most donors stay in the hospital one to two nights, going home once they can get up and walk on their own.

  • Recovery timeline Emory says most donors are back to regular activities within four to six weeks. When you can return to work depends on your job, and your care team will guide you.
  • Long-term impact No special diet, no ongoing medication, and no meaningful change to quality of life. The remaining kidney adjusts to take over the workload.
  • Safety It carries the same general risks as any major surgery, and the risk of serious complications is low. Emory’s transplant team can walk you through the specifics for your situation.

What It Costs You

The recipient’s health insurance covers the donor’s medical costs for the evaluation, surgery, and follow-up care — donating shouldn’t leave you with a medical bill. What it typically doesn’t cover is your time off work or travel, though federal job protection (FMLA) and some state laws, such as Georgia’s, exist specifically to protect living donors. Programs like Emory’s Donor Shield can also help offset lost wages and travel costs.

If You’re Not a Match for Kim

A different blood type or incompatible antibodies doesn’t rule you out. Through paired kidney exchange, your kidney can go to a compatible stranger elsewhere in the country, while their incompatible donor gives to Kim — sometimes as a simple swap, sometimes as part of a longer chain of pairs helping each other out. Emory participates in the National Kidney Registry, which coordinates exactly this kind of matching nationwide.

What to Expect, Personally

It’s normal to feel both excited and a little anxious about a decision like this — most people say that feeling eases the more they understand about the process. Afterward, many donors describe a real sense of pride in what they did. And if at any point you decide it’s not right for you, that’s okay: your decision stays confidential.

Ready to Learn More?

The first step is a short, confidential online questionnaire — completing it doesn’t commit you to anything.

Go to Emory Living Donor Screening

Additional Resources

A few trusted sources if you’d like to read further:

This page is a plain-language summary based on Emory Healthcare’s living donor information and the TransplantFirst Academy FAQ listed above. It is not medical advice — Emory’s transplant team can answer questions specific to your situation.