Most often a potential kidney donor is prompted by the organ transplant need of a family member, friend, or co-worker. In other cases a potential donor hears a stranger’s story and is compelled to act. While both of these situations may invite directed donations, a better approach can be the combined use of non-directed donation and the standard voucher program through the National Kidney Registry®. This innovative strategy has several specific benefits:
- Prioritized Eligibility Evaluation. Non-directed donors will be evaluated for eligibility more quickly, which benefits kidney recipients and adds convenience for donors.
- Remote Evaluation & Surgery. Donors have the option to complete evaluation and surgery at a local NKR-affiliated transplant center, regardless of where the recipient is being treated. Remote donation allows for safe transport of the kidney from donor to the recipient, saving both parties the stress and expense of travel.
- Donor Preferred Scheduling. Donors can undergo evaluation and surgery on their own schedule at an NKR-affiliated transplant facility closest to home.
- Best Kidney Match. Non-directed donors’ kidneys will be given to transplant recipients who are the best match, greatly increasing the odds of both immediate and long-term transplant success.
- Voucher for Kidney Prioritization. Donors receive a standard voucher that can be directed to a person of their choice who is in imminent need of a kidney transplant. The recipient can activate that voucher when they are ready for transplant surgery. This flexibility is perhaps the most innovative aspect of this approach in comparison to traditional directed donation.
- Transplant Recipient Priority Matching. When the recipient is ready for transplant and activates the voucher, they will be prioritized for the best matched living donor through the NKR.