Benefits and risks of living organ donation
Emotional and social considerations
How do most donors feel about their decision to donate?
Most living donors (about 90-95%) say they have positive feelings about donating an organ, including:
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Feeling more fulfilled in their life
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Feeling little or no regret about donating
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Having an improved relationship with their recipient
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And saying they would make the same decision again to donate
In fact, researchers have found that donors are just as happy with their health as the general population and healthy people who have not donated. This is true in the short-term (first few years after donating) and long-term (even decades after donating).
A small number of donors have short-term emotional changes after donating
When donors go through donor evaluation and surgery, they get a lot of healthcare in a short time. But over time, they get less care after their donation surgery is over.
For a small number of donors, this can cause changes in their mood and life satisfaction after donating, such as:
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Depression and anxiety
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Fair or poor physical health, such as fatigue and pain
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Being worried about their current or future health because of donating
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Changes in their body image, such as feeling less attractive due to a scar from surgery
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Changes in their relationships, such as with other family members or a spouse
These short-term feelings can happen to anyone.
What can donors do to protect their emotional health?
To protect their emotional health, donors can:
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Learn all they can about organ donation and possible emotional changes, so they are prepared if this does happen
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Build a strong support system ahead of surgery
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Take the time they need to make their decision about donating, so they feel fully confident in their decision. Donors have a better recovery when they feel confident about their decision.
