Transplant Journey

About the waitlist

• The waiting time can vary substantially between transplant centers and between different regions of the country. The best way to shorten the waiting time is to find a living donor. Another option is to consider listing at an additional center(s) where the wait time is shorter than where you are listed.

• It is important that you stay healthy and active. You can do this by following medical advice for dialysis-related issues and general medical issues. These include nutrition, exercise, and general health maintenance (body weight, cancer screening, vaccination, etc).

• You may require periodic testing while on the waiting list.

• You may require that you be seen in their clinic periodically while on their transplant waiting list.

Points to remember about kidney transplantation

• Kidney Transplant improves quality and quantity of life.

• Kidney Transplantation is not a life saving procedure.

• Kidney Transplantation can be done from a living donor or deceased donor (cadaver).

• Living donor transplantation is preferable over deceased donor transplantation.

• Kidney transplantation is not for all patients with kidney failure.

• Patient has to be listed and be in good health immediately prior to transplantation.

Facts about transplantation in USA

• Over 104,000 are listed for kidney transplantation.

• Approximately 2/3 of them are active and 1/3 inactive on the list

• Inactivity may be due to:

1. acute medical and surgical issues

2. awaiting test results

3. lack of insurance

4. patient's desire (personal reasons)​

• About 6,500 living donor transplants and 16,500 deceased donor kidney transplants are performed each year in US.