The Path for Kidney Donors

Referral: Donation starts with our donor screening form. After you complete the form, we email you orders for blood and urine testing that you can take to any laboratory. Once we receive the results, you speak to our Living Donor Advocate and watch several educational videos.

Evaluation: Over several visits, you meet with our team members and undergo more medical tests. You can complete some visits and tests at a Penn satellite location or virtually via telemedicine. We evaluate your physical and emotional health and your motivations for donating. Evaluation can take several months. Our goal is to make sure you are healthy enough to donate a kidney and that donation is the right choice for you. Find out more about kidney donor evaluation.

Donation: During your preoperative visit, you meet with the surgical team. They explain the procedure and what to expect after surgery. The surgery takes about three hours. Most patients go home in a day or two and return to normal activities within four weeks. Read more about kidney donor surgery.

Follow-up care: Your follow-up care includes a postoperative visit at three weeks, and additional visits at six months, one year and two years. After surgery and into the future, our team is available for any questions or concerns you may have.