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  • U.S. Kidney Transplant Waitlist: 90,140                     (as of 3/17/24)                         (Source: CDC)  

  • 3,457 Americans on the waitlist died last year before they could be transplanted.                                     (Source: OPTN) 

  • A kidney from a Living Donor lasts twice as long on average (15 – 20 yrs) versus a deceased kidney. (...............................................................Source: American Kidney Fund) 

  • The average wait time for a deceased kidney is 3 - 5 years. Many patients have to undergo dialysis while they wait – avoiding or minimizing time spent on dialysis results in better health outcomes.              (S........................ource: Donate Life America)    

  • Even if your blood types do not match, it is still possible for a living donor to secure a kidney transplant for their intended recipient through a Paired Kidney Exchange program (more info. below about paired exchanges)..                                                     .

  • Read the stories of those seeking a living kidney donor on our Kidney Patient Stories page.   

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Why Be a Living Donor?

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(Source: OPTN as of 2/18/25) 

(Source: OPTN as of 2/18/25)

(Source: American Kidney Fund)

Donor 1 wants to donate to Recipient 1 and Donor 2 wants to donate
to Recipient 2 but neither pair match for blood type—both pairs "swap" so that Donor 1 gives a kidney to her match (Recip. 2) and Donor 2 gives a kidney to her match (Recip. 1).

What is a Paired Kidney Exchange? 

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