Learn About Living Kidney Donation
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For several years, Dr. Liise Kayler of ECMC and the University at Buffalo has been working with researchers, community members, and patients to create videos that explain kidney transplantation. Now that research data has been collected, the quick and clear videos are available to everyone. Transplantinfo.com has videos that are easy to understand and are meant to be shared, including videos about becoming a living kidney donor. ​​
The United Network for Organ Sharing has a helpful page with information about the steps to living donation and a listing of transplant centers across the country.
The Regional Center of Excellence for Transplantation and Kidney Care at Erie County Medical Center is where most local residents are listed and receive kidney or kidney/pancreas transplants. Visit ECMC's Living Donor Information page to learn more about their processes, including living donor evaluation, matching and surgery.
National Kidney Donation Organization
​The National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO) is an organization of Living Donors who help mentor those looking to donate a kidney as well as helping those who are in need of a kidney transplant. NKDO provides education and information to prospective living kidney donors. If you are interested in learning more about living kidney donation, please visit their website at www.nkdo.org.
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Transplant Centers where WNY residents are listed​
Erie County Medical Center
Buffalo, NY
Kidney Transplant Information: https://www.ecmc.edu/health-services-and-doctors/renal-care-kidney-and-pancreas/kidney-transplants/
Living Donation Information: https://www.ecmc.edu/health-services-and-doctors/renal-care-kidney-and-pancreas/living-donor-information/
Interactive Report: https://www.srtr.org/transplant-centers/interactive-report?center=NYEC&type=TX1&organ=ki
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Strong Memorial Hospital
Rochester, NY
Kidney Transplant Information: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/transplant/kidney.aspx
Living Donation Information: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/transplant/live-donor.aspx
Interactive Report: https://www.srtr.org/transplant-centers/interactive-report?center=NYFL&type=TX1&organ=ki
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, NY)
Kidney Transplant Information: https://www.upstate.edu/transplant/kidney-transplant/index.php
Living Donation Information: https://www.upstate.edu/transplant/organ-donation/living-donor.php
Interactive Report: https://www.srtr.org/transplant-centers/interactive-report?center=NYUM&type=TX1&organ=ki)
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
Kidney Transplant Information: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/transplant/programs/kidney
Living Donation Information: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/transplant/programs/kidney/living-kidney-donation
Interactive Report: https://www.srtr.org/transplant-centers/interactive-report?center=OHCC&type=TX1&organ=ki
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UPMC Hamot
Erie, PA
Kidney Transplant Information: https://www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/hamot/services/kidney-transplant
Living Donation Information: https://www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/hamot/services/kidney-transplant/living-donor-kidney-transplant
Interactive Report: https://www.srtr.org/transplant-centers/interactive-report?center=PAPH&type=TX1&organ=ki
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UMPC
Pittsburgh, PA
Kidney Transplant Information: https://www.upmc.com/services/transplant/kidney-pancreas
Living Donation Information: https://www.upmc.com/services/transplant/kidney-pancreas/living-donor
Interactive Report: https://www.srtr.org/transplant-centers/interactive-report?center=PAPT&type=TX1&organ=ki
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Organizations and Resources for Living Donation
The Kidney Connection is a WNY non-profit through which people in need of a kidney transplant can share their stories in order to connect with potential living donors. Stories and photos of many local people currently awaiting a transplant are at kidneyconnection.org.
The Living Kidney Donors Network has a free online program for patients and their advocates, "Having Your Kidney Donor Find YOU!" which has already helped many to develop their kidney campaigns. www.lkdn.org and havingyourdonorfindyou.org/kfwny/.
National Kidney Donation Organization living donors help mentor those looking to donate a kidney as well as helping those who are in need of a kidney transplant. NKDO provides education and information to prospective living kidney donors. www.nkdo.org.
The mission of the National Kidney Registry is to save and improve the lives of people facing kidney failure by increasing the quality, speed and number of living donor transplants while protecting and supporting all living kidney donors. Programs include vouchers for living donors and microsites for people awaiting transplant. www.kidneyregistry.org
The National Living Donor Assistance Center operates a nationwide system that provides reimbursement of travel expenses, lost wages, and dependent care expenses to people being evaluated for and/or undergoing living organ donation. Priority is given to those who could not otherwise afford to donate. www.livingdonorassistance.org
The American Living Organ Donor Fund works to make living organ donors whole by ensuring their rights are protected and by ensuring the procedure is cost-neutral. The fund is need-blind and makes direct grants to living organ donors both pre and post-donation to cover donation related expenses. www.helplivingdonorssavelives.org
The American Transplant Foundation's patient assistance program helps living donors to cover essential expenses such as rent or mortgage due to lost wages during recovery after surgery so they can heal without facing financial troubles. www.americantransplantfoundation.org/programs/pap/