Page 15 - More than a match

A Bit of Background History

just one, why not give the other one to him so he could live? To me,
it was a no-brainer, especially as I am his only sibling.

We did some internet research on living kidney donation. There
are risks involved in donating a kidney, as with any major operation.
However, potential living donors are put through a vigorous health
check to ensure their health is not compromised. After donating a
kidney, a person can live exactly the way they lived before with just
a few changes to their lifestyle. Other benefits of having a kidney
from a living donor are that there is a better chance of a successful
transplant with a living kidney, as the donor and recipient are
in the same hospital, allowing for the kidney to be transplanted

immediately. Living donor transplants done between family
members are genetically similar and a better genetic match lessens
the risk of rejection. A kidney from a living donor usually functions
immediately, making it easier to monitor. Some deceased donor
kidneys do not function immediately, and as a result, the patient
may require dialysis until the kidney starts to function. Potential
donors like myself can be tested ahead of time to find the donor

who is most compatible with the recipient. A kidney from a live
donor has a life expectancy of about 18- 20 years, whilst one from
a deceased person has a life expectancy of approximately 13 years.
All in all our loved ones transplant would have a higher success rate
if a family member was to be their living donor.
Although desperate for a kidney, my brother wanted me to know
the potential risks and be absolutely sure it was something I wanted
to do. I researched the risks and found that, as with most surgeries,
there were the potential risks of infection, blood clots, hypertension,

pain, bleeding, hernia, and an allergic reaction to the anaesthesia.

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