A Second Chance Starts Here
For some people living with IgA Nephropathy, a kidney transplant becomes part of the journey. A living donor can offer not just a kidney, but the opportunity for more time, more freedom, and a better quality of life.
You do not have to navigate this alone.
Why Living Donation Matters
For patients with IgAN facing kidney failure, time matters. A living donor transplant can offer:
- Shorter wait times compared to the national transplant list
- Better long-term outcomes and kidney function
- The ability to plan surgery at the right time
- In some cases, the chance to avoid dialysis entirely
Living donation is not just a medical option. It is a powerful act of compassion that can transform lives.
What is Living Donation?
A living donor kidney transplant occurs when a healthy person donates one of their kidneys to someone in need. Most donors go on to live healthy, full lives with one kidney.
For IgAN patients, this can mean earlier access to transplant and improved outcomes.
Types of Living Donation
Directed Donation
A donor gives a kidney to someone they know, such as a family member or friend.
Non-Directed Donation
A donor gives a kidney to someone they do not know, choosing to help a stranger in need.
Paired Exchange
If a donor is not a match, transplant programs can match multiple donor and recipient pairs. This creates a chain of transplants so each patient receives a compatible kidney.
You May Be Closer to a Match Than You Think
Many people assume they need to be a perfect match to donate. That is not always the case.
Through paired exchange programs and advances in transplant medicine, more patients are able to find a match than ever before.
Talking about your journey and sharing your story can help others step forward.
For Potential Donors
You Have the Power to Save a Life
Living kidney donors are everyday people who choose to make an extraordinary impact.
As a donor, you will go through a thorough medical and psychological evaluation to ensure your safety. Most donors return to their normal activities after recovery and continue to live healthy lives.
You can donate to:
- A loved one
- Someone in your community
- A person you may never meet
Your decision could change or even save a life.
Be Inspired
Welcome to this episode of IgAN Journey. April is organ donation month – a time to honor those who have saved lives by donating the gift of a kidney of other organ. It’s also a chance to call attention to the huge need for organ donors. Over 100,000 Americans (and 10,000 Texans in his state) are waiting for an organ transplant.
How the IgA Nephropathy Foundation Supports You
We are here at every step of your journey.
- Community support from others who have walked this path
- Programs that connect patients, caregivers, and advocates
- Tools to help you share your story and find support
No one should face IgAN alone.
A Message of Hope
Living donation represents more than a treatment option.
It represents generosity, connection, and the possibility of a new chapter.
Sources
The information on this page is informed by trusted organizations and transplant education resources, including:
- American Kidney Fund. Types of Living Donor Kidney Transplants.
https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-donation-and-transplant/types-living-donor-kidney-transplants - American Kidney Fund. Kidney Donation and Transplant.
https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-donation-and-transplant - National Kidney Foundation. Living Donation.
https://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors - Mayo Clinic. Living Donor Kidney Transplant.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/living-donor-kidney-transplant/about
This content is intended for educational purposes and should not replace medical advice. Patients should speak with their healthcare team to determine the best options for their individual situation.
