Written by:
Arthi T
All you need to know about living donor
A living-donor transplant involves a surgical procedure where an organ or a part of an organ is taken from a living individual and transplanted into someone whose organ is failing.
The most frequent type of living-donor transplant is a kidney donation, where individuals can donate one of their two kidneys. The remaining kidney continues to perform all necessary functions. Living donors can also donate part of their liver. The liver has the ability to regenerate, growing back to almost its original size and continuing to function normally. While kidney and liver transplants are the most common living-donor organ procedures, living individuals can also donate tissues such as skin, bone marrow, and blood-forming cells for transplantation.
Criteria for living donors in India
In India, individuals who wish to donate an organ must meet specific criteria to ensure both the donor’s and recipient’s safety and the success of the transplant. These criteria include:
Age range between 18 and 55 years.
A compatible blood type with the recipient.
Good overall health.
Prospective donors must undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to confirm they are physically and mentally prepared for the procedure. This evaluation includes blood tests, imaging exams, and psychiatric assessments. It is crucial to prioritize the donor’s health and ensure they fully understand the risks and potential consequences of liver donation.
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Finding a living donor for organ transplant in India
Inform your family, friends, and community about the need for an organ donor.
Utilize social media platforms, support groups, and online networks to reach a broader audience.
Share personal stories and experiences to evoke empathy and motivate potential donors.
Engage with local hospitals, transplant centers, and non-profit organizations that specialize in organ donation for resources and assistance in locating a suitable living donor.
What does recovery after a living donation process entail?
Hospital stay
After donating a kidney, you will typically stay in the hospital for a few days.
For liver donation, the hospital stay can last up to seven days.
Post-surgery care
If you live far from the transplant center, your doctors will advise you to stay nearby for a few days after discharge to monitor your health and the functioning of your remaining organ.
Follow-up care involves returning to the transplant center multiple times for tests and monitoring. Transplant centers must submit follow-up data at six months, 12 months, and 24 months post-donation.
Local healthcare providers may conduct lab tests one and two years after your surgery.
Recovery
The transplant team will give specific advice on self-care to reduce complications, including incision care, pain management, limiting strenuous activities, and resuming a regular diet.
Most kidney donors can return to their normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks.
Liver donors generally take 2 to 3 months to return to work and regular activities.
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Advantages of living donor transplant
Shorter waiting time, as living-donor transplants can be scheduled in advance.
Immediate availability prevents further health deterioration in recipients.
Higher success rates and longer survival times for the organ and recipient.
Lower risk of rejection due to better genetic matches, especially among related donors.
Reduced emergency situations and logistical challenges.
Alleviates the shortage of available organs from deceased donors.
Lower healthcare costs by reducing the waiting time and associated medical expenses
All you need to know about deceased donor
A deceased-donor transplant involves the transplantation of an organ or tissue from an individual who has recently died. This procedure allows individuals with organ failure to receive a lifesaving or life-enhancing transplant. The most common organs transplanted from deceased donors are kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, pancreas, and intestines. Deceased donors can also donate tissues such as corneas, skin, bone, and heart valves.
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Criteria for deceased donor organ transplants in India
The donor must be declared brain dead or have suffered cardiac death.
Consent must be obtained from the donor's family or next of kin.
The donor's organs must be healthy and suitable for transplantation.
Medical professionals perform thorough evaluations of deceased donors to confirm the viability of their organs. This evaluation includes blood tests, imaging exams, and assessments of the donor’s medical history and cause of death.
Finding a deceased donor for organ transplant in India
Register with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) or a regional transplant authority.
Stay in regular contact with your transplant center to ensure you are active on the waiting list.
Update your medical records and ensure all necessary tests and evaluations are current.
Be prepared for a potential transplant at any time, as organs from deceased donors must be transplanted quickly.
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What does recovery for a recipient after a deceased organ transplant process entail?
Hospital stay
The length of the hospital stay for recipients varies depending on the type of organ transplanted.
Kidney transplant recipients typically stay in the hospital for about a week.
Liver transplant recipients usually have a hospital stay of around two weeks or longer
Post-surgery care
After discharge, recipients must stay near the transplant center for several weeks for regular follow-up visits and monitoring.
Follow-up care involves frequent lab tests, imaging studies, and consultations with the transplant team.
Transplant centers must submit follow-up data at regular intervals, including six months, 12 months, and 24 months post-transplant.
Local healthcare providers may assist with ongoing care and monitoring after the initial post-transplant period.
Recovery
The transplant team will provide specific guidelines on self-care to minimize complications, including medication management, infection prevention, and lifestyle modifications.
Most kidney transplant recipients can return to normal activities within 8 to 12 weeks.
Liver transplant recipients generally take 3 to 6 months to return to work and regular activities, depending on their recovery progress and overall health.
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Advantages of deceased donor transplants
The transplant team will provide specific guidelines on self-care to minimize complications, including medication management, infection prevention, and lifestyle modifications.
Unlike living-donor transplants, there is no risk to living individuals.
Deceased donors can often be matched with a wider range of recipients.
How Milaap can help
In India, organ transplants are among the most expensive medical procedures, with costs often reaching into the lakhs of rupees. These expenses cover not only the surgical procedure itself but also pre-transplant evaluations, post-operative care, and medications for both the donor and the recipient. For many families, these costs are beyond reach and can stand in the way of life-saving treatments.
Milaap offers a lifeline by enabling individuals to raise funds for these critical procedures. By starting a fundraiser on Milaap, families can leverage the support of their communities and compassionate donors worldwide to cover the immense costs associated with organ transplants. If you or a loved one is facing the daunting expense of an organ transplant, start a fundraiser on Milaap today!
Organ transplant success stories on Milaap
In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.
Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand.
Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.
For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.
