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It is one of the most generous acts of life—a living person donates an organ or part of an organ to another person in need. In effect, the living donor gives the recipient life. 

Donating in this way, while one is still alive, is making a “living donation.”  Because of a severe shortage of organs recovered from deceased donors, living donations are sometimes the only alternative for many individuals awaiting organs.

Living organ donors may donate in one of three ways:

1.  Living-related donor – a blood relative who desires to donate to a family member.

2.  Living un-related donor – a close friend or spouse who desires to donate to an individual in need whom the person knows.

3.  Anonymous living donor – an altruistic person who gives an organ to a stranger – someone they have never met – out of kindness.

Although there are health risks attributed to becoming a living donor, living donations are important and valuable because of the shortage of deceased donor organs. For many patients, the pre-transplant period is a long wait. With appropriate planning, use of a living donor makes it possible to reduce the waiting period and waiting list.

These are the organs (or sections of organs) that may be given by a living donor:

1.  A segment of liver;

2.  The lobe of one lung;

3.  A portion of the pancreas;

4. An entire kidney may also be donated. It is the most common organ given through living donation each year. Kidneys are also the most needed—more than 60 percent of those waiting for an organ transplant are waiting for a kidney.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a living donor in Iowa, please contact organ transplantation offices either: Mercy Medical Center — Des Moines, Iowa Methodist Medical Center — Des Moines or The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

Living donors in Iowa may also qualify for a tax deduction for expenses related to donating an organ.  Please consult your tax professional.