It’s official! The search is on for a living kidney donor for Kiran. While Kiran’s father unfortunately cannot donate to Kiran (his renal arteries would not work in Kiran), Kiran’s mother is doing the medical work up in April and will hopefully be able to donate. We definitely want the best “match” for Kiran to give him the best chance for a successful transplant and healthy, dialysis free life. While his mother is a match, she is not a “perfect match” and may have quirky anatomy that disqualifies her too (we hope not!).
Interested in learning more about being a kidney donor? You can fill out a quick initial survey here: Donor Registration.
Here are a few quick facts:
What is a living kidney donor?
A living kidney donor is an adult who donates one kidney to Kiran. Each person has two kidneys, but you only need one. One kidney is taken out of the donor and transplanted into Kiran’s lower abdomen.
Why a living kidney donor instead of a deceased donor kidney?
Kidneys from a living donor have a much shorter time “outside” a body, and as such, it usually starts working almost immediately. Living donor kidneys typically last much longer and usually are a better “match” than deceased donor kidneys. Lasting longer is especially important for Kiran because he will likely need several additional kidney transplants throughout his life and each successive transplant needs to be a great match. And we’d much rather have 20 years with his new kidney than 10!
Who can donate a kidney?
Any healthy adult who has O Type Blood, is an antigen and tissue “match” with Kiran, and is cleared by the donor medical team at Cincinnati Children’s. The kidney donation “team” is completely separate from Kiran’s transplant team. In fact, we will never know who, if anyone, contacts the donor team and gets worked up to be a donor. Any potential donor will be extensively evaluated by the University of Cincinnati medical team to see if they’re a match with Kiran and that they are healthy and ok to donate.
How does the donation process work?
Anyone interested in learning more about being a donor can visit Cincinnati Children’s Living Kidney Donor website: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/k/donor.
If you are interested in seeing if you’re a match or eligible to donate, please fill out this online form: Donor Registration.
After filling out the registration form, a donor coordinator will reach out to discuss next steps and interview you. You will be assigned a donor advocate as well, whose sole job is to look out for the donor’s interests and help the donor. There are a couple rounds of interviews, doctors records, a blood draw (which can be done anywhere, not just in Cincinnati) and then if that all checks out, a medical evaluation and work up in Cincinnati. If that all checks out, surgery is scheduled the same time as Kiran’s transplant! Kiran’s insurance covers all medical costs to the donor.
What happens if I donate a kidney?
The donor team will discuss all risks and how you can expect things to work in detail. The team will never let you donate if they think there is any chance of negative health outcomes. For more information please check out What to Expect After Donation | National Kidney Foundation for more information.
What if I’m not a match but still really want to help?
Thank you for thinking of Kiran and please pray for Kiran, his future donor, his medical team, and his anxious parents! Many of you have already donated to COTA for Kiran and we are so grateful. Please continue to spread the word. Lastly, some individuals can enter a “paired kidney donation” where you would donate a kidney to someone else in need and a donor for that person, who is a match for Kiran, would give to Kiran. If you’re interested in this idea please go ahead with the initial questionnaire to get started! Donor Registration.