Becoming a Live Kidney or Liver Donor
Donating a Kidney or Part of a Liver
Live donors are willing to donate part of their liver or one of their kidneys to a recipient on the waiting list for an organ transplant. Your organ donation can save a life, and we are here to support you every step of the way. At Lahey Hospital & Medical Center (LHMC), we can help you understand what to expect from live kidney donation or live liver donation.
Our potential live donors will undergo an extensive evaluation process. We educate you about the donation and transplantation procedure, inform you about the risks and benefits of surgery, and guide you as you make decisions about organ donation and care. We pledge to protect your privacy and rights.
Live donor liver transplantation is possible because the liver can regenerate, which is unique among solid organs in humans. This means that when part of a liver is removed from you, as a live donor, the portion that remains in your body will regenerate to its original volume, and the portion transplanted to the recipient will regenerate as well.
Live kidney donation is possible because while we have two kidneys, we only need one to lead a perfectly healthy life. In many cases, receiving a kidney from a living donor gives people with kidney failure the ability to get a new kidney before they need dialysis. Studies show that this leads to long-lasting transplants, so your gift can truly benefit the recipient for many years.
We use a secure online questionnaire, made available through the Breeze Transplant platform, to help make the process of living organ donation easier and more confidential. This tool allows individuals interested in becoming living donors to share basic information, which helps our team assess potential eligibility.
Our goal is to support patients in approaching loved ones or friends about organ donation in a way that reduces pressure and encourages informed decision-making.
After we review your information, a member of our living donor team will contact you to confirm details and explain the next steps in the donation process.
- Cuestionario para donantes vivos en español (Living Donor Questionnaire in Spanish)
How Bill Found a Living Kidney Donor: A Story of Hope, Family, and Second Chances
Facing a five-year wait for a deceased donor and navigating serious heart complications, Bill Duston knew time wasn’t on his side. In his 70s, he and his wife turned to their family and community in search of a living kidney donor. In this powerful video, Bill shares how living donation gave him a second chance at life, what the donor matching process involved, and how the compassionate team at Lahey’s Transplant Center supported him every step of the way.
Inside Lahey’s Living Liver Donor Transplant Program: What You Need to Know
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center is home to one of the most experienced living liver donor transplant programs in the country. In this video, members of the transplant team walk you through the program’s history, the donor evaluation process, and the life-changing benefits of living liver donation. Whether you're considering becoming a donor or simply want to learn more, this overview offers expert insight, supportive guidance, and helpful resources for taking the next step.
Get Started
Take the first step on your journey toward better health.
