Latest Lists

I am under 18 and want to donate my kidney, is there any way that it would be possible?

My uncle has been in need of a kidney for a really long time and now the only one he has is infected. He has been on the waiting list for a kidney for years. I wanted to do something for him and give him a second chance at life. I am 17, is there any possible way I can donate?

Public Comments

1. I think u can donate u kidneys but they will most likely have to do some test to see if u can donate ur kidneys
2. If you are a tissue match, you may be allowed to donate a kidney with parental permission. If your parents do not consent, you cannot donate. Guidelines vary by location. Call the hospital and ask.
3. You need to talk to your parents and get them to understand what you want to do and why. I think you would have problems volunteering if your parents were opposed (certainly until you are old enough to do it without their consent). Then you would need to talk to your uncles medical team. Find out the name of either his Doctor, or his Transplant Co-Ordinator. Ring them up talk to them by phone. Tell them you are 17 and that you want to be a donor and your parents are happy for you to do this. Depending on what their policy is, they will either make you an appointment to see them, or they will say thanks but no thanks. There is a counselling process which has to take place first, where they will tell you all about how it will work and what the risks are (there are risks in all surgery). They will tell you about the tests they will have to do (It's mostly just taking blood samples) to see if you are a match. They can talk to you about paired matching and all the options. You can decide not to go ahead at any time. It takes about three months to do all the tissue matching and counselling, it's not going to be an overnight thing. It may be that you're not a match and can't donate. You need to talk to your parents, and the medics, in that order. Good luck, and I will keep my fingers crossed for your uncle. From experience I have to tell you that donated kidneys usually arrive just after you start thinking one will never turn up! When they do, it's earthshakingly brilliantly breathtaking life-changing FABULOUS!