How paired kidney donation works
In the donor-recipient pairs, the kidney donors and recipients aren't compatible with each other. However, the donor of each pair is compatible with the recipient of the other pair. If both pairs are willing, your doctors may consider a paired donation.
Doctors and surgeons in the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center conduct paired kidney donations for selected people who need kidney transplants. The transplant programs at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota maintain shared lists among the three locations to identify donors who may be compatible with other recipients for a kidney transplant. If a compatible donor is found for a recipient at a different location, doctors can perform a paired donation.
For paired kidney donation, kidney donors and their recipients aren't compatible for a kidney transplant. However, the donor of each pair is compatible with the recipient of the other pair. If both donors and recipients are willing, your doctors may consider a paired donation. This program provides a way for people to receive a living donor kidney transplant instead of being on the deceased donor waiting list for several years.
You're evaluated to determine if you're compatible with another donor and ready for a transplant. Your donor then gives his or her kidney to the other recipient. The other recipient's donor gives his or her kidney to you. Paired kidney donation may include several pairs. In some cases, the kidney is removed from the donor at one Mayo Clinic site and flown to another site where the transplant takes place.
Request an appointment with a Mayo Clinic doctor to determine if transplant is right for you.
Mayo Clinic transplant staff can answer your questions about the transplant process and post-transplant life.
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