Legacy is looking for the following when it comes to donors:

Be in excellent health

Be between 21 to 75 years old

Not be a smoker

Have no personal history of kidney disease, diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, cancer, HIV, and/or other conditions that would prevent you from donating.

Preferably A or O blood type (unless opting to participate in a paired exchange).

The following are some of the benefits of a livin donation compared to receiving a disease kidney:

1. A shorter wait – Having a living donor means the patient no longer has to wait on dialysis.

2. A better match – A better genetic match lessens the risk of rejection.

3. Lasts longer - On average, a kidney from a living donor lasts about 2-3x longer than a deceased kidney, meaning less likely for the recipient to need another transplant in tBheir lifetime.

4. Better timing – With a living donor, it is possible to plan the surgery day and time at a good time for the pair and the transplant team. This way, both the kidney patient and their living donor can be at their healthiest.

Things to consider for after kidney donation:

1. Life expectancy does not change.

2. You don’t have to follow a special diet after donating.

3. Women who donate should wait 6 months to a 1 year before trying to conceive again. This gives the body time to adjust to having one kidney.

4. Pain medication is only needed after the surgery. No special medication is needed once you’re fully healed.

5. Initial recovery is only two weeks.

6. All costs associate with surgery and donation are billed to the recipients’ insurance.