Learn about liver transplants. Understand the differences between a living liver donor and deceased liver donor. Learn about the liver and liver transplants How do people get a new liver that works? A person whose liver has failed may be able to get a liver transplant to get a new liver. What is a liver transplant? In a liver transplant, doctors do surgery to take all or part of a healthy liver from a donor and place it into a person whose liver has failed (a recipient): In a living donor liver transplant, the liver comes from a donor who is still alive. Doctors take part of a healthy person’s liver to place into the recipient’s body. In a deceased donor liver transplant, the liver comes from a donor who has died. Doctors place the whole liver into the recipient's body. Most donated livers are from deceased donors. This website covers living donor liver transplants. What are the differences between a liver from a living and deceased donor? Getting a liver from a living donor has some benefits over getting a liver from a deceased donor: Living donor liver transplant Deceased donor liver transplant How long the liver lasts Living donor liver transplant: Living donor liver transplant Liver lasts a similar time as deceased donor transplants, and can last longer for recipients whose liver disease is less severe. Deceased donor liver transplant Deceased donor liver transplant: Liver lasts a similar time as living donor transplants, and can last longer for recipients whose liver disease is more severe because getting a whole liver may be better for these recipients. How well the liver works Living donor liver transplant: Living donor liver transplant Liver may work better, since the donor is known to be healthy, and the recipient may have waited less time for a transplant. Deceased donor liver transplant Deceased donor liver transplant: Liver may not work as well, since less is known about the donor’s health, and the recipient may have waited more time for a transplant. Waiting time for a transplant Living donor liver transplant: Living donor liver transplant The transplant can happen soon after the donor passes evaluation (the tests that show the donor is healthy enough to donate). This can shorten the waiting time by months or years. Deceased donor liver transplant Deceased donor liver transplant: The average wait time ranges from less than 30 days to more than 5 years, with the average being about 11 months (for adults). Scheduling surgery Living donor liver transplant: Living donor liver transplant Surgery can be scheduled at a time that’s best for the donor and recipient. Deceased donor liver transplant Deceased donor liver transplant: Surgery can’t be scheduled because the recipient doesn’t know when a liver will be available. A liver may suddenly become available, which can be disruptive for the recipient. Recovery from surgery for the recipient Living donor liver transplant: Living donor liver transplant May be shorter Deceased donor liver transplant Deceased donor liver transplant: May be longer Want to learn more? Learn more about living organ donation. Learn about comparing kidney and liver donation. Learn about common myths about kidney and liver donation. Previous Next Progress through living liver donor education

Read through liver donor education all in place and explore resources. I am ready to explore living liver donation Explore resources to help you learn about living liver donation, understand your options, and take next steps when you're ready. Start exploring liver education on our website Start now Learn about financial help to lower donation costs Learn about HRSA’s Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program, which reimburses up to $6,000 of certain expenses for living donors and their caregivers on their trips to the transplant center for evaluation, surgery, and medical follow-up visits. Learn about financial help Talk to others about living donation If you have questions about living liver donation or need help finding a transplant center, you can contact the American Liver Foundation. Contact the ALF Watch stories of living donors Watch videos from real people who have donated an organ or received an organ from a living donor. Watch donor stories Find a transplant center near you Use an online tool to search for a transplant center in the U.S. based on organ type and location. Find a transplant center Learn about living liver donation through text messages Sign up to get short educational texts sent to your phone to learn at your own pace through QuizToo. Sign up for QuizToo Explore additional resources Find more information and tools to support you along the way. Explore resources

Learn more about organ donation and financial support. Talk to a help line, find a transplant center, and hear donor stories. Resources Learn about living organ donation Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Provides trusted federal information and resources about organ donation and transplantation, including living donation, the donation process, and what to expect as a donor. HRSA is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. organdonor.gov/ Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR): A federally contracted registry that provides data and information about organ donation and transplantation. Its interactive transplant system map helps donors, recipients, and others explore the steps in the transplant journey. srtr.hrsa.gov/patients-care-partners/transplant-system-map/interactive-system-map/ American Society of Transplantation (AST): The AST Living Donor Community of Practice (LDCOP) provides educational materials, including toolkits and webinars, for potential living donors. myast.org/ldcop-educational-resources American Transplant Foundation (ATF): Offers educational resources, financial assistance, and mentoring for living donors, transplant recipients, and caregivers. Registers potential living donors and assists transplant patients seeking a living donor. americantransplantfoundation.org/ United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS): A nonprofit organization that provides information and resources about living donation, including the donation process, data, and frequently asked questions. unos.org/transplant/living-donation/ Learn about financial support to lower donation costs There are programs that can help with the costs of living donation: Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program, administered through the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) can help eligible donors with travel expenses, lost wages, and dependent care costs. Talk to your transplant center about this program, and learn more about financial help for donors here. American Transplant Foundation (ATF): A patient assistance program to help with lost wages. americantransplantfoundation.org/programs/pap/ Donor Shield: A program that can offer reimbursement for certain costs such as lost wages, lodging, meals, and even pet care. donorshield.com/ For kidney donation: Alliance for Paired Kidney Donation (APKD): Donor Protect provides protection for every living kidney donor who donates a kidney through the APKD. This includes priority for a living donor transplant, should a living kidney donor ever need one, and financial support. paireddonation.org/donorprotect/ For kidney donation: American Kidney Fund (AKF): Offers financial support for living kidney donors in Illinois, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. kidneyfund.org/get-assistance/living-donor-assistance-program Talk to your living donor social worker about other financial resources that may be available to you. These are not all the possible resources that may be available to you, and their inclusion on this website is not an endorsement of these services. Learn about living kidney donation Learn more about living kidney donation National Kidney Foundation (NKF): Nonprofit organization with The Big Ask, The Big Give project, which helps begin the conversation about living kidney donation. Becoming a living donor Living kidney donor evaluation Living donor finances and insurance Living donor surgery and risks What to expect after donation How to donate American Kidney Fund (AKF): Nonprofit organization that provides information on kidney disease and becoming a kidney donor. kidneyfund.org/kidney-donation-and-transplant/preparing-your-living-kidney-donation American Society of Transplantation (AST): The Living Kidney Donor Medical Toolkit offers a series of chapters about specific aspects of living kidney donor evaluation and experience. livingdonortoolkit.com/medical-toolkit National Kidney Registry (NKR): Registry that outlines the process of donating through NKR and provides tools for finding a living kidney donor. kidneyregistry.com/ Watch stories of living donors The Living Donation Storytelling Project Hear real life stories on our website Ask your questions through the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) CARES Help Line If you have questions about living kidney donation or transplants, are looking for educational material, or need help finding a transplant center, you can contact NKF CARES: Call: 855-653-2273, Monday – Friday, 9am-7pm ET Or send a message: NKF CARES Talk to a peer mentor through NKF PEERS If you'd like to talk to someone who has donated, had a transplant, or is a care partner for someone living with kidney disease to hear their experience and ask questions, you can contact NKF PEERS: Visit: NKF PEERS Or call: 855-653-2273, Monday – Friday, 9am-7pm ET Learn about living liver donation Learn more about living liver donation American Liver Foundation (ALF): An introduction for donors and recipients that covers the basics of how living donation works. liverfoundation.org/liver-diseases/treatment/living-donor-liver-transplant-information-center/an-introduction-for-donors-and-recipients/ American Society of Transplantation (AST): Living Liver Donor Medical Toolkit offers a series of chapters about specific aspects of living liver donor evaluation and experience. livingdonortoolkit.com/living-liver-medical-toolkit National Liver Registry (NLR): Registry that outlines the process of donating through NLR and provides tools for finding a living liver donor. liverregistry.com/ Read or watch donor stories Want to hear from others who have donated? Here are some places where you can learn about other people’s experiences: The Living Donation Storytelling Project Hear real life stories on our website Living Liver Foundation: Offers dozens of stories of living donor liver transplant recipients and their donors from around the country. livingliver.org/stories American Liver Foundation (ALF): Read about the impact of liver donation from a donor and recipient perspective. livingdonornetwork.liverfoundation.org/donor-impact-stories Donate Life: Watch stories from liver donors and recipients. donatelife.net/category/stories-of-hope/liver-donation/ Choose Donation: Read personal accounts from living liver donors, including why they decided to become donors, what they experienced during their donation journey, and how being a donor changed their lives. choosedonation.com/donors-blog/liver-donor-stories Ask your questions through the American Liver Foundation (ALF) Help Line If you have questions about liver wellness or liver disease or need information about support groups or financial resources, you can contact ALF: Call: 800-465-4837 (800-GO-LIVER), English-only, Monday – Friday, 9am-4:30pm ET Or send a message: American Liver Foundation support Talk to a peer mentor through ALF Caring Connections ALF can put you in touch with a living liver donor to talk with through their peer mentoring program. Contact Caring Connections: Visit: ALF’s Caring Connections peer-to-peer support program. Or call: 800-465-4837 (800-GO-LIVER), English-only, Monday – Friday, 9am-4:30pm ET For transplant recipients: Connect with other transplant recipients Sharing the Journey, an ALF support network for liver transplant recipients, provides an opportunity for you to connect with other transplant recipients. Through this group, you will be able to offer and receive support through the shared transplant experience. All sessions will be facilitated by a licensed social worker. You must be age 18 or older to participate. There is no fee to join. Find upcoming sessions on ALF's Sharing the Journey page Find a transplant center Find a transplant center near you This online tool from The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients allows you to search for a transplant center in the U.S. based on organ type and location: Find a transplant center in the U.S. Note: This website states it is for recipients, but donors can search for transplant centers too.

Learn about kidney transplants. Understand the differences between a living kidney donor and deceased kidney donor. Learn about kidneys and kidney transplants How do people get a new kidney that works? A person whose kidneys have failed can get a kidney transplant to get a new kidney. What is a kidney transplant? In a kidney transplant, doctors do surgery to take a healthy kidney from a donor and place it into a person whose kidneys have failed (a recipient): In a living donor kidney transplant , the kidney comes from a donor who is still alive. Doctors take 1 of the donor's 2 kidneys to place into the recipient's body. In a deceased donor kidney transplant , the kidney comes from a donor who has died. If the donor has 2 healthy kidneys, they each go to a different recipient, allowing 2 people to get a kidney transplant. This website covers living donor kidney transplants. What are the differences between a kidney from a living and deceased donor? Getting a kidney transplant from a living donor can happen sooner and last longer than getting a kidney transplant from a deceased donor: Living donor kidney transplant Deceased donor kidney transplant How long the kidney lasts The kidney usually lasts 15-20 years. It also starts working sooner after the transplant than a deceased donor kidney. The kidney usually lasts 10-15 years. Waiting time for a transplant Recipients can get a transplant within 1 year if they have a matching donor. Recipients typically wait 3-5 years on the waitlist, with the wait time closer to 10 years in some areas. Time on dialysis Recipients spend little to no time on dialysis, which can mean fewer health problems. Recipients spend more time on dialysis, which can lead to more health problems. Scheduling surgery Surgery can be scheduled at a time that’s best for the donor and recipient. Surgery can’t be scheduled, as the recipient doesn’t know when a kidney will be available. Living donor kidney transplant Deceased donor kidney transplant How long the kidney lasts Living donor kidney transplant: Living donor kidney transplant The kidney usually lasts 15-20 years. It also starts working sooner after the transplant than a deceased donor kidney. Deceased donor kidney transplant Deceased donor kidney transplant: The kidney usually lasts 10-15 years. Waiting time for a transplant Living donor kidney transplant: Living donor kidney transplant Recipients can get a transplant within 1 year if they have a matching donor. Deceased donor kidney transplant Deceased donor kidney transplant: Recipients typically wait 3-5 years on the waitlist, with the wait time closer to 10 years in some areas. Time on dialysis Living donor kidney transplant: Living donor kidney transplant Recipients spend little to no time on dialysis, which can mean fewer health problems. Deceased donor kidney transplant Deceased donor kidney transplant: Recipients spend more time on dialysis, which can lead to more health problems. Scheduling surgery Living donor kidney transplant: Living donor kidney transplant Surgery can be scheduled at a time that’s best for the donor and recipient. Deceased donor kidney transplant Deceased donor kidney transplant: Surgery can’t be scheduled, as the recipient doesn’t know when a kidney will be available. Want to learn more? Learn more about living organ donation on organdonor.gov . Learn about comparing kidney and liver donation. Learn about common myths about kidney and liver donation. Previous Next Progress through living kidney donor education

Learn about how you data's being collected. ELD uses cookies to understand user actions and improve the site. This privacy policy describes what information Explore Living Donation (ELD) collects from you when you visit our websites and how we handle that information. This policy applies to explorelivingdonation.org . Overview For the ELD website under this privacy policy: We do not collect personally identifiable information (PII) about you unless you choose to provide that information to us by email. Any personally identifiable information (PII) you choose to provide is protected by privacy and security practices. We may automatically collect and temporarily store information related to your visit to our website that is not personally identifiable information (PII). ELD does not disclose, give, sell, or transfer any personally identifiable information (PII) about our visitors unless required by applicable law. Privacy Policy Notice What is personally identifiable information (PII)? PII is information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, either alone or when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual. PII can include: Sensitive data, such as medical, financial, or legal information linked to an individual; "Neutral" information, such as a name, facial photos, or work address; and Contextual information, such as a file for a specific health condition that contains a list of treated patients. Information Automatically Collected and Stored When you visit our website, we may automatically gather and temporarily store a variety of information about your visit. The basic information we collect during your visit includes: The date and time of your visit to our website; The pages and documents you viewed on our website; The URL of the website you visited prior to ours; The type and version of your Web browser and operating system; and Your location at the time of your visit, down to the city-level. We do not associate any of the data we automatically collect with your personally identifiable information (PII). Instead, we aggregate this data from all users' visits to improve our website and to share with our contracted partners and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a part of the Public Education - Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program. Access to the aggregate data is limited to designated staff, contracted partners, and HRSA personnel who require this information to perform their duties. We retain this information for as long as needed for proper analysis and to satisfy applicable grant, recordkeeping, and legal requirements. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Voluntarily Submitted to ELD If you choose to provide ELD with your personally identifiable information (PII) —for example, by sending an email—we may use that information to respond to your message and/or help us get you the information or services you requested. Submitting personally identifiable information (PII) such as name, address, telephone number, email address, etc. is voluntary and is not required to access information on our website. We retain the information only for as long as necessary to respond to your question or request. Cookies Websites can automatically place small text files, known as "cookies," on their visitors' computers. Cookies identify the unique browser used by the visitor unless you delete them or they expire. On each subsequent visit to the website, the visitor's browser will retrieve the cookie, allowing ELD to aggregate the number of return visitors. ELD uses "cookies" to test and optimize our website’s design and content. We use two types of cookies on ELD website: We use session cookies to gather data for technical purposes, such as improving navigation through our website and generating statistics about how the website is used. Session cookies are temporary text files that expire when you close your browser. We do not use session cookies to collect personally identifiable information (PII). We do not share data collected from session cookies beyond our contracted partners as a part of the Public Education - Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program. We use multi-session cookies, or persistent cookies, to customize our website for frequent visitors and to test variations of website design and content. Multi-session cookies are cookies that are stored over more than a single session on your computer. We do not use multi-session cookies to collect personally identifiable information (PII). We do not share data collected from multi-session cookies beyond our contracted partners as a part of the Public Education - Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program. Our multi-session cookies expire two years after your last visit to our website. These cookies delete automatically from your computer as soon as they expire. You can block cookies from your device. Blocking session cookies from your device will not affect your access to the content on our website. Block cookies in popular browsers You can change your browser's settings to prompt you before you accept cookies from websites you visit. You can also choose to set your browser to block cookies from websites you visit. Find instructions for blocking cookies in popular browsers: Google Chrome (under "Change Your Cookie Settings") Microsoft Edge Safari iPhone Safari Mac Mozilla Firefox Samsung Internet Opera

Watch videos from real people who have donated an organ or received an organ from a living donor. Hear real life stories On this page, you can watch videos from real people who have donated an organ or received an organ from a living donor. Living kidney donation Living kidney donor stories: Dawson Lisa Living kidney recipient stories: Marc Living liver donation Living liver donor stories: Valleri Living liver recipient stories: Jalik Getting financial help Learn how the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program (LODRP) may help eligible living donors with certain out-of-pocket costs. The LODRP is run by the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC). Living liver donation: Sean Living kidney donation: Mark See more videos on the Living Donation Storytelling Project website . Have you donated an organ? Learn how to share your story on the Living Donation Storytelling Project website.

Understand facts about being a living organ donor, the donation process, what happens after donating, and the costs. Common myths about living kidney and liver donation Living organ donation is when a person donates an organ or part of an organ while they are alive to someone in need. A kidney and a part of a liver can be donated by living donors to save someone’s life. Living organ donation can: Lower someone’s wait time for an organ transplant Provide typically longer-lasting and quicker working transplants compared to organs from deceased donors For kidney, prevent the need for dialysis for someone with kidney disease, or shorten the time they need dialysis For liver, lower the number of people who die while waiting for a deceased donor transplant Facts about being a donor Myth Fact I’m not a match with my recipient, so I can’t donate. For kidney donation: Kidney paired donation allows for 2 or more incompatible donor and recipient pairs to swap donors. The donors are then able to give their organs to a compatible recipient in a different pair. For liver donation : Transplant centers can work to match donors and recipients to create compatible pairs or a donor chain of several compatible pairs. I don’t know anyone who needs a kidney or liver, so I can’t donate. A person can donate to someone who they don’t know or have a relationship with. This is called a non-directed donor. Most transplant centers have programs where they match compatible recipients with a non-directed donor. I have to be related to the recipient. Living donors do not have to be related to someone to donate to them. Donors and recipients have blood tests, imaging tests, and other exams to see if they match (are compatible), which means the donated organ will work well in the recipient’s body. I’m too old to be a living organ donor. For kidney donation: Most kidney transplant centers don’t have an upper age limit for donors. They look at the person’s health overall to decide if it’s safe for someone to donate. Many people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s or older have successfully donated. For liver donation: Liver transplant centers have an upper age limit of 60, except in rare cases when someone over age 60 can donate. There are enough organs donated every year for everyone who needs a transplant. There is an organ shortage. In 2026, over 90,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant and over 9,000 people are waiting for a liver transplant. Myth Fact I’m not a match with my recipient, so I can’t donate. For kidney donation: Kidney paired donation allows for 2 or more incompatible donor and recipient pairs to swap donors. The donors are then able to give their organs to a compatible recipient in a different pair. For liver donation : Transplant centers can work to match donors and recipients to create compatible pairs or a donor chain of several compatible pairs. I don’t know anyone who needs a kidney or liver, so I can’t donate. A person can donate to someone who they don’t know or have a relationship with. This is called a non-directed donor. Most transplant centers have programs where they match compatible recipients with a non-directed donor. I have to be related to the recipient. Living donors do not have to be related to someone to donate to them. Donors and recipients have blood tests, imaging tests, and other exams to see if they match (are compatible), which means the donated organ will work well in the recipient’s body. I’m too old to be a living organ donor. For kidney donation: Most kidney transplant centers don’t have an upper age limit for donors. They look at the person’s health overall to decide if it’s safe for someone to donate. Many people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s or older have successfully donated. For liver donation: Liver transplant centers have an upper age limit of 60, except in rare cases when someone over age 60 can donate. There are enough organs donated every year for everyone who needs a transplant. There is an organ shortage. In 2026, over 90,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant and over 9,000 people are waiting for a liver transplant. Myth I’m not a match with my recipient, so I can’t donate. Fact For kidney donation: Kidney paired donation allows for 2 or more incompatible donor and recipient pairs to swap donors. The donors are then able to give their organs to a compatible recipient in a different pair. For liver donation : Transplant centers can work to match donors and recipients to create compatible pairs or a donor chain of several compatible pairs. Myth I don’t know anyone who needs a kidney or liver, so I can’t donate. Fact A person can donate to someone who they don’t know or have a relationship with. This is called a non-directed donor. Most transplant centers have programs where they match compatible recipients with a non-directed donor. Myth I have to be related to the recipient. Fact Living donors do not have to be related to someone to donate to them. Donors and recipients have blood tests, imaging tests, and other exams to see if they match (are compatible), which means the donated organ will work well in the recipient’s body. Myth I’m too old to be a living organ donor. Fact For kidney donation: Most kidney transplant centers don’t have an upper age limit for donors. They look at the person’s health overall to decide if it’s safe for someone to donate. Many people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s or older have successfully donated. For liver donation: Liver transplant centers have an upper age limit of 60, except in rare cases when someone over age 60 can donate. Myth There are enough organs donated every year for everyone who needs a transplant. Fact There is an organ shortage. In 2026, over 90,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant and over 9,000 people are waiting for a liver transplant. Facts about the donation process Myth Fact I will be in the hospital for a long time after surgery. For kidney donation: Living kidney donors typically stay 2-3 days in the hospital. For liver donation: Living liver donors typically stay for about 1 week in the hospital. It hurts a lot to donate a kidney or a part of my liver. After surgery, doctors give donors pain medicine to heal and rest. Once I start being evaluated as a potential donor, I have to donate if they accept me. Anyone exploring living donation can stop the process at any time if they decide it isn’t right for them, even up to the day of surgery. It is important that living donors make the decision to donate voluntarily and are free of any pressure. Myth Fact I will be in the hospital for a long time after surgery. For kidney donation: Living kidney donors typically stay 2-3 days in the hospital. For liver donation: Living liver donors typically stay for about 1 week in the hospital. It hurts a lot to donate a kidney or a part of my liver. After surgery, doctors give donors pain medicine to heal and rest. Once I start being evaluated as a potential donor, I have to donate if they accept me. Anyone exploring living donation can stop the process at any time if they decide it isn’t right for them, even up to the day of surgery. It is important that living donors make the decision to donate voluntarily and are free of any pressure. Myth I will be in the hospital for a long time after surgery. Fact For kidney donation: Living kidney donors typically stay 2-3 days in the hospital. For liver donation: Living liver donors typically stay for about 1 week in the hospital. Myth It hurts a lot to donate a kidney or a part of my liver. Fact After surgery, doctors give donors pain medicine to heal and rest. Myth Once I start being evaluated as a potential donor, I have to donate if they accept me. Fact Anyone exploring living donation can stop the process at any time if they decide it isn’t right for them, even up to the day of surgery. It is important that living donors make the decision to donate voluntarily and are free of any pressure. Facts about what happens after donating Myth Fact I’m going to be less healthy because I donated. Most living donors go on to live active, healthy lives and can see the positive impact of their donation for themselves and the recipient. In general, researchers have found that donors are just as happy with their health as the general population and healthy people who have not donated. After donating, I’ll only have part of my organ function. For kidney donation: Most people can live well with only 1 kidney and donors go on to live active, healthy lives. Over 3-6 months after surgery, the remaining kidney will get bigger and do the work of both kidneys. Doctors also look at a donor’s kidney function during their donor evaluation to make sure donating a kidney won’t make them less healthy or harm them. For liver donation: A donor’s liver begins to grow back (regenerate) right away after surgery. It will return to full size in 2-3 months. Even while the liver regrows, the part that is left can make up for the work that the full liver normally does. I have to change my lifestyle after donating. Donors return to their normal life and also continue to keep up with their health after donating by having medical check-ups, eating healthy, and exercising. Donors need to avoid activities that could hurt the remaining organ, for example martial arts. I can’t get pregnant after I donate an organ. Research on living donors shows that most people who want to become pregnant after donation can. The transplant team will usually recommend waiting 6-12 months after surgery before trying to become pregnant. Donating will automatically affect my ability to get life or health insurance in the future. Federal laws and laws in most states protect living donors from problems with health insurance. You can talk to a transplant social worker during donor evaluation about any protections or laws in the state where you live. There are some donor protection programs to make sure that this does not happen. Myth Fact I’m going to be less healthy because I donated. Most living donors go on to live active, healthy lives and can see the positive impact of their donation for themselves and the recipient. In general, researchers have found that donors are just as happy with their health as the general population and healthy people who have not donated. After donating, I’ll only have part of my organ function. For kidney donation: Most people can live well with only 1 kidney and donors go on to live active, healthy lives. Over 3-6 months after surgery, the remaining kidney will get bigger and do the work of both kidneys. Doctors also look at a donor’s kidney function during their donor evaluation to make sure donating a kidney won’t make them less healthy or harm them. For liver donation: A donor’s liver begins to grow back (regenerate) right away after surgery. It will return to full size in 2-3 months. Even while the liver regrows, the part that is left can make up for the work that the full liver normally does. I have to change my lifestyle after donating. Donors return to their normal life and also continue to keep up with their health after donating by having medical check-ups, eating healthy, and exercising. Donors need to avoid activities that could hurt the remaining organ, for example martial arts. I can’t get pregnant after I donate an organ. Research on living donors shows that most people who want to become pregnant after donation can. The transplant team will usually recommend waiting 6-12 months after surgery before trying to become pregnant. Donating will automatically affect my ability to get life or health insurance in the future. Federal laws and laws in most states protect living donors from problems with health insurance. You can talk to a transplant social worker during donor evaluation about any protections or laws in the state where you live. There are some donor protection programs to make sure that this does not happen. Myth I’m going to be less healthy because I donated. Fact Most living donors go on to live active, healthy lives and can see the positive impact of their donation for themselves and the recipient. In general, researchers have found that donors are just as happy with their health as the general population and healthy people who have not donated. Myth After donating, I’ll only have part of my organ function. Fact For kidney donation: Most people can live well with only 1 kidney and donors go on to live active, healthy lives. Over 3-6 months after surgery, the remaining kidney will get bigger and do the work of both kidneys. Doctors also look at a donor’s kidney function during their donor evaluation to make sure donating a kidney won’t make them less healthy or harm them. For liver donation: A donor’s liver begins to grow back (regenerate) right away after surgery. It will return to full size in 2-3 months. Even while the liver regrows, the part that is left can make up for the work that the full liver normally does. Myth I have to change my lifestyle after donating. Fact Donors return to their normal life and also continue to keep up with their health after donating by having medical check-ups, eating healthy, and exercising. Donors need to avoid activities that could hurt the remaining organ, for example martial arts. Myth I can’t get pregnant after I donate an organ. Fact Research on living donors shows that most people who want to become pregnant after donation can. The transplant team will usually recommend waiting 6-12 months after surgery before trying to become pregnant. Myth Donating will automatically affect my ability to get life or health insurance in the future. Fact Federal laws and laws in most states protect living donors from problems with health insurance. You can talk to a transplant social worker during donor evaluation about any protections or laws in the state where you live. There are some donor protection programs to make sure that this does not happen. Facts about costs of donating Myth Fact I have to pay for donation costs myself. Living donors do not have to pay for donor evaluation or surgery because the recipient’s insurance covers donation costs. However, donors may have to pay for costs like parking, childcare, travel, and lost wages from being out of work during evaluation and surgery. Donors can talk to their transplant social worker before evaluation about any financial programs that help cover non-medical costs related to donation, such as HRSA’s Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program, which is a national program that covers up to $6,000 for donors and their caregivers. Myth Fact I have to pay for donation costs myself. Living donors do not have to pay for donor evaluation or surgery because the recipient’s insurance covers donation costs. However, donors may have to pay for costs like parking, childcare, travel, and lost wages from being out of work during evaluation and surgery. Donors can talk to their transplant social worker before evaluation about any financial programs that help cover non-medical costs related to donation, such as HRSA’s Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program, which is a national program that covers up to $6,000 for donors and their caregivers. Myth I have to pay for donation costs myself. Fact Living donors do not have to pay for donor evaluation or surgery because the recipient’s insurance covers donation costs. However, donors may have to pay for costs like parking, childcare, travel, and lost wages from being out of work during evaluation and surgery. Donors can talk to their transplant social worker before evaluation about any financial programs that help cover non-medical costs related to donation, such as HRSA’s Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program, which is a national program that covers up to $6,000 for donors and their caregivers.

Start living liver donor education now. Select a topic to begin. Learn about living liver donation Choose the topic you want to learn about or start at the beginning and walk through step-by-step Learn about the liver and liver transplants Becoming a living liver donor Benefits and risks of living organ donation Planning for living organ donation Where to learn more if you are interested in donating

Where to learn more if you're interested in donating Where to learn more if you are interested in donating Talk to your transplant center about financial support to lower donation costs There are programs that can help with the costs of donating a part of a liver: Health Services and Resources Administration’s (HRSA) Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program, administered through the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) can help eligible donors with travel expenses, lost wages, and dependent care costs. Talk to your transplant center about this program. Explore help from NLDAC American Transplant Foundation (ATF): A patient assistance program to help with lost wages. americantransplantfoundation.org/programs/pap National Liver Registry Donor Shield : A program that can offer reimbursement for certain costs such as lost wages, lodging, meals, and even pet care. donorshield.com/liver-donors Talk to your living donor social worker about other financial resources that may be available to you. These are not all the possible resources that may be available to you, and their inclusion on this website is not an endorsement of these services. Talk to your transplant center about financial support to lower donation costs There are programs that can help with the costs of donating a part of a liver: Health Services and Resources Administration’s (HRSA) Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program, administered through the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) can help eligible donors with travel expenses, lost wages, and dependent care costs. Talk to your transplant center about this program. Explore help from NLDAC American Transplant Foundation (ATF): A patient assistance program to help with lost wages. americantransplantfoundation.org/programs/pap National Liver Registry Donor Shield : A program that can offer reimbursement for certain costs such as lost wages, lodging, meals, and even pet care. donorshield.com/liver-donors Talk to your living donor social worker about other financial resources that may be available to you. These are not all the possible resources that may be available to you, and their inclusion on this website is not an endorsement of these services. Learn more about living liver donation Helpful resources to learn more about liver donation Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Provides trusted federal information and resources about organ donation and transplantation, including living donation, the donation process, and what to expect as a donor. HRSA is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. organdonor.gov American Liver Foundation (ALF): An introduction for donors and recipients that covers the basics of how living donation works. liverfoundation.org/liver-diseases/treatment/living-donor-liver-transplant-information-center/an-introduction-for-donors-and-recipients American Society of Transplantation (AST): Living Liver Donor Medical Toolkit offers a series of chapters about specific aspects of living liver donor evaluation and experience. livingdonortoolkit.com/living-liver-medical-toolkit National Liver Registry (NLR): Registry that outlines the process of donating through NLR and provides tools for finding a living liver donor. liverregistry.com/ Read or watch donor stories Want to hear from others who have donated? Here are some places where you can learn about other people’s experiences: The Living Donation Storytelling Project Hear real life stories on our website Living Liver Foundation : Offers dozens of stories of living donor liver transplant recipients and their donors from around the country. livingliver.org/stories American Liver Foundation (ALF): Read about the impact of liver donation from a donor and recipient perspective. livingdonornetwork.liverfoundation.org/donor-impact-stories Donate Life : Watch stories from liver donors and recipients. donatelife.net/category/stories-of-hope/liver-donation Choose Donation : Read personal accounts from living liver donors, including why they decided to become donors, what they experienced during their donation journey, and how being a donor changed their lives. choosedonation.com/donors-blog/liver-donor-stories Learn more about living liver donation Helpful resources to learn more about liver donation Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Provides trusted federal information and resources about organ donation and transplantation, including living donation, the donation process, and what to expect as a donor. HRSA is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. organdonor.gov American Liver Foundation (ALF): An introduction for donors and recipients that covers the basics of how living donation works. liverfoundation.org/liver-diseases/treatment/living-donor-liver-transplant-information-center/an-introduction-for-donors-and-recipients American Society of Transplantation (AST): Living Liver Donor Medical Toolkit offers a series of chapters about specific aspects of living liver donor evaluation and experience. livingdonortoolkit.com/living-liver-medical-toolkit National Liver Registry (NLR): Registry that outlines the process of donating through NLR and provides tools for finding a living liver donor. liverregistry.com/ Read or watch donor stories Want to hear from others who have donated? Here are some places where you can learn about other people’s experiences: The Living Donation Storytelling Project Hear real life stories on our website Living Liver Foundation : Offers dozens of stories of living donor liver transplant recipients and their donors from around the country. livingliver.org/stories American Liver Foundation (ALF): Read about the impact of liver donation from a donor and recipient perspective. livingdonornetwork.liverfoundation.org/donor-impact-stories Donate Life : Watch stories from liver donors and recipients. donatelife.net/category/stories-of-hope/liver-donation Choose Donation : Read personal accounts from living liver donors, including why they decided to become donors, what they experienced during their donation journey, and how being a donor changed their lives. choosedonation.com/donors-blog/liver-donor-stories Talk to others about living liver donation Ask your questions through the American Liver Foundation (ALF) Help Line If you have questions about liver wellness or liver disease or need information about support groups or financial resources, you can contact ALF: Call: 800-465-4837 (800-GO-LIVER), English-only, Monday – Friday, 9am-4:30pm ET Or send a message: American Liver Foundation support Talk to a peer mentor through ALF Caring Connections ALF can put you in touch with a living liver donor to talk with through their peer mentoring program. Contact Caring Connections: Visit: ALF’s Caring Connections peer-to-peer support program . Or call: 800-465-4837 (800-GO-LIVER), English-only, Monday – Friday, 9am-4:30pm ET Ready to get started with living liver donation? Find a transplant center near you This online tool from The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients allows you to search for a transplant center in the U.S. based on organ type and location: Find a transplant center in the U.S. Note: This website states it is for recipients, but donors can search for transplant centers too. How did you hear about this website? Social media Friend or family A kidney or transplant organization My doctor My dialysis center My transplant center Other Submit Previous Next Progress through living liver donor education

Use our tool to find a nearby transplant center if you're interested in exploring living kidney or living liver donation. Find a transplant center in the U.S. Transplant center search tool The tool below allows you to search for a transplant center in the U.S. based on organ type and location: Find a transplant center in the U.S. Note: This website states it is for recipients, but donors can search for transplant centers too. About SRTR The Chronic Disease Research Group , a division of the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute , operates the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) under contract from the Division of Transplantation , Health Systems Bureau , Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The SRTR contractor is responsible for providing statistical and other analytic support to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) for purposes including the formulation and evaluation of organ allocation and other OPTN policies. Additionally, SRTR provides analytic support to HHS in a variety of areas, including policy formulation and evaluation, system performance metrics, economic analysis, and preparation of recurring and special reports to Congress. Section 373 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act requires the operation of SRTR to support ongoing evaluation of the scientific and clinical status of solid organ transplantation. The U.S. Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA; P.L. 98-507) in 1984.