How to Save a Friend's Life Through Organ Donation

Because of the shortage of donated organs, many people in need of an organ transplant could benefit from a directed donation from a living donor. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), living donors can donate a kidney, the lobe of a lung, part of the pancreas, part of the liver, or part of the intestine. A living donor can be a family member or friend of the patient, a good Samaritan, or part of a paired exchange or "organ swap" in which loved ones who are not compatible can donate an organ to a stranger in exchange for an organ for their loved one from a compatible donor. If you are thinking of donating an organ to someone you love, it is important to be educated about the process.

Things You'll Need

• Information about your friend's medical condition
• Your medical history
• Contact information for your friend's transplant team

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Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your friend and make sure you are both comfortable with the donation. There are a lot of emotions involved, so good communication is key.

• 2

  Talk to your friend's transplant team about donating your organ. They will be able to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

• 3

  Get a blood type test. This is the first test the transplant team will do to see if you are a compatible donor for your friend.

• 4

  Get a thorough physical exam.

• 5

  Have more compatibility blood tests. If your blood type is a match, you will need more extensive blood tests to make sure you are a match.

• 6

  Have urine tests. This will give the transplant team information about your kidneys' health.

• 7

  Have a CT scan of the area. If you are donating a kidney, this will help the team decide which kidney will be best for the donation.

• 8

  Have X-rays, an EKG, blood tests and urine tests to check for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or lung disease, cancer, or transmissible diseases, such as HIV or hepatitis.

• 9

  Have an evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist to make sure both you and your friend are psychologically ready for the donation.

• 10

  Schedule the surgery.