The Power of Living Organ Donors

While you probably understand when someone passes away, they have the ability to give the ultimate gift of organ, eye and tissue, but what you may not realize is that it’s also possible to help others by being a living organ donor. These life saving gifts are safe for both the donor and recipient. If you’re interested in being a living donor, read on to learn more.

What Is Living Donation?

A living donor is exactly what it sounds like, a healthy person who is able to donate an organ or portion of an organ. Living organ donation accounts for four out of every ten organ transplants in the United States. When you make this decision, it can be for an acquaintance, family member, friend or altruistically to a stranger.

Which Organs Can be Donated by a Living Donor?

There are several organs that can be donated by a living donor:

Kidney- The most needed organ transplant. This gift allows a recipient to discontinue dialysis and live a “normal life” post transplant. The most common illnesses that lead to needing a kidney transplant are chronic kidney disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Most people are born with two kidneys, however, we only need one to live a healthy life. You may know Selena Gomez’s story, her best friend donated one of her kidneys to save her life!
Liver- Did you know our livers are able to regenerate? It is possible to donate a portion of your liver to another person and, in time, your liver regenerates back to normal size and the recipient’s portion becomes full sized. Common illnesses that lead to liver transplant are biliary atresia, chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis, primary biliary cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis. After the transplant, grateful recipients live a normal, fully functioning life.
Lung- While most donated lungs come from heroic donors after passing away, it is possible to donate a portion or entire lobe of a lung while a person is still living. The common illnesses that lead to needing a lung transplant are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary arterial. After transplant, the majority of recipients have no limitations on physical activity.

Who Can Qualify to be a Living Donor?

Potential living donors must be between the ages of 18 and 60. It is important that they are in good health and without previous health issues such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and kidney disease. In order to match with a potential recipient, there are many medical tests that need to be completed to ensure health, matching blood type and more. The initial screening is non-invasive and simple.

How to Become a Living Donor

If you’d like to explore becoming a living donor, you should contact your local transplant center. Here in Nevada, our transplant center is UMC Center for Transplantation. After an initial screening, you may begin the process of being evaluated medically.

We hope this has inspired you to #BeAHero, like the many other living donors that have given the gift of life to someone else!

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First featured on nvdonor.org

Testimonials

“Joe Ferreira transformed Nevada Donor Network from a near crumbling Organ Procurement Organization to an innovative, high performing organization. When Joe came to Nevada Donor Network, he made every effort to listen to what each employee had to say about the organization and the leadership; and implement changes to better the culture. He clearly communicated his vision for Nevada Donor Network with all team members and asked for their support in changing the direction of operations to set meaningful goals, but not to just talk about it, be about it. Leadership was empowered to make real change in our community and implement new ideas and ways of operating, that with his support and guidance has led Nevada Donor Network to be a national leader in Organ Procurement Organizations.”

- Jenna Dumas, Community Development Manager, Nevada Donor Network, Inc.

” I have had the opportunity to witness Joe Ferreira lead our organ procurement organization’s growth from one of the lowest performers to the top performer in the United States in a few years’ time! Joe’s leadership style of inclusion of voices at every level shows his strength and dedication to “employees first” and “every voice matters”, which brought forth ideas and opportunities that had not been sought out prior to his arrival. His determination and top-notch engagement with staff have been pivotal attributes in our success as an organization, that our marked growth and change would have been impossible without. I’m proud to have the privilege of working under Joe’s leadership, where our embodied culture and strength resonate throughout the organization.”

- Heather Osipowicz, Manager of Hospital Services, Nevada Donor Network, Inc.

” It was evident from day one that Joe came to the Nevada Donor Network with purpose; knowing that we not only needed a strong leader with a plan, but needed someone who would be very intentional about their follow through to make it happen. He took the time to get to know the team individually and created an unexpected, but necessary, shift in the culture at NDN through his honest and transparent style of leading. When you work for someone that you respect and know that their intentions are to support and grow the staff however possible, you inevitably work harder and strive for a higher level of excellence in your daily tasks. Strong leadership is what has made NDN into the highest performing OPO in the world.”

- Joi Surgeon, Donation Services Supervisor, Nevada Donor Network

” Joe Ferreira’s humble and successful leadership restored confidence in the organization through the development and empowerment of NDN’s team members. He carried a super aura that enveloped the entire organization by the development of strong, loyal and modest leaders that were able to drive employee engagement. Allowing his focus to be on the “Bottom Up Theory” he was able to take the organization from the brink of regulatory closure to the best OPO in the Universe.”