Kidney Transplant Waiting List
When you move closer to a life-saving gift
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What to Know as You Await Your Donor Kidney
At Lahey Clinic, if doctors believe you need a new kidney, you undergo a kidney transplant evaluation. Our screening committee uses the evaluation to decide if you’re a good candidate. If you are, you are added to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) waiting list.
UNOS is the nonprofit organization that manages the nation’s organ transplant systems. You must be on the waiting list even if you have a living donor available.
How Long is the Waiting List for Kidney Transplant
Your blood type must be compatible to a donor’s type, so UNOS puts you on a list specific to your blood group — A, B, O or AB. It’s not possible to know when a kidney from a deceased donor will become available for you. Wait times are usually longer if your blood type is B or O because of the low number of donors.
Other factors that impact kidney transplant wait time include:
- Where you live: UNOS matches organs by geography. Some geographic regions have fewer donors than others. This influences waiting time.
- Whether you have antibodies to human leukocyte antigens (HLA): HLA antigens are structures on a transplanted kidney that your immune system recognizes as foreign. Having antibodies to HLA antigens can increase your waiting time.
In most cases, the length of time you’ve been on the kidney transplant wait list determines when a new kidney will become available to you.
Monthly Blood Samples
While you wait for a kidney to become available, we take monthly blood samples from you. The samples go to a laboratory where we test them for antibodies.
Having a current sample of your blood helps us know if you’ll be a good match when a kidney becomes available.
Your transplant coordinator will work with you or your dialysis center to arrange your monthly blood test.
Staying Active on the Transplant List
To remain active on the kidney transplant waiting list you must:
- Avoid nonprescribed drugs and tobacco
- Follow all recommendations from your transplant team
- Get regular laboratory tests
- Keep all scheduled medical appointments
Communication with Our Transplant Team
Once you’re on the waiting list, staying in close contact with us is important. Please contact the clinic at 781-744-2500 or send a message through the patient portal in Beth Israel Lahey Health MyChart if you:
- Are admitted to another hospital.
- Cannot keep a scheduled appointment at the transplant center.
- Change your contact information, such as your phone number or address.
- Change your dialysis center.
- Change your insurance provider, including prescription plans
- Change your travel plans in a way that would affect your ability to reach Lahey within two hours if a kidney becomes available.
- Receive an infection diagnosis of any type.
- Visit the emergency department.
We’re Here for You
We understand that waiting for a new kidney can be a challenging time. We’re here for you. Our transplant specialists are always ready to offer emotional support.
