For Donors
Donating a kidney is a remarkable act that can save and change a life. But it's not a decision to make without thought. Downstate can help you determine whether living donation is the right choice for you.
Every year, living donors enable thousands of kidney transplants. Their generosity means patients are able to get a new kidney faster than they would have otherwise. In some cases, that means eliminating years of dialysis treatments. In others, it means getting a kidney before running out of time.
Life with one kidney looks a lot like life with two. Still, donating a kidney to a family member, friend or even somebody you've never met is a significant procedure. It will result in a hospital stay and even a small scar (though our laparoscopic donor surgery greatly reduces pain and scarring). The Transplant Team at Downstate will introduce you to physicians who can answer your questions about donating a kidney. You'll also meet donors who have gone through the process, so you can hear directly from them how it affected their lives.