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The Queen's Medical Center

Living Kidney Donation

Living Kidney Donation

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Queen's
Transplant Center
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Queen’s Transplant Center
Physicians Office Building 3 (POB 3), Suite 404

550 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Phone:
808-691-8897

Fax: 
808-691-8896

Clinic Hours: 
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Home » Locations » Hospitals & Locations » Queen's Medical Center » Services » Transplant Center » Living Kidney Donation

Living Kidney Donor Program

There are three types of kidney donors:

  • Living Blood Relative – A parent, sibling, or other family member related to the recipient.
  • Living, Unrelated Donor – A friend or someone who chooses to donate to an anonymous candidate on the national waiting list.
  • Deceased Donor – Organs from deceased donors are allocated through the national transplant list.

Why Consider Living Donation?

Patients who receive a kidney from a living donor typically experience a much shorter wait time and better outcomes compared to receiving a kidney from a deceased donor.

In Hawaii, about 300 people are waiting for a transplant. Patients on our waiting list wait for an average of 3 years, compared to up to 10 years at some mainland centers. Living donors can make a life-changing difference-helping a loved one or friend come off of dialysis sooner.

Becoming a Living Organ Donor

Prospective kidney donors start by completing a confidential online health history questionnaire before scheduling an evaluation. Click here to complete the donor questionnaire.

If you cannot access the questionnaire or would like more information about living kidney donation, please call 808-691-1179 to speak with our Living Donor Coordinator. You may also complete the Living Kidney Donor Intake Sheet and fax or mail the form directly to Queen’s Transplant Center.

What to Expect During Evaluation

Each potential donor begins with initial screening and education with a nurse about the donation process. If you pass the initial screening and wish to proceed, you will undergo a comprehensive medical and psychosocial evaluation, which  includes:

  • Blood and urine tests
  • Imaging studies (such as X-rays)
  • Heart testing
  • Consultations with physicians and the transplant multidisciplinary team

Kidney Donor Exchange Program

Turning Incompatibility Into Opportunity - Options for Incompatible Living Donor and Recipient Pairs

Kidney paired donation (KPD), or paired exchange, is an option for living donors and recipients  who are not compatible. In KPD, a donor exchanges their kidney with another donor from an incompatible pair, creating two compatible matches. This approach can make two transplants possible.

Finding an exchange pair can take 1 month to 2 years, depending on blood type, antibody levels, and size of the donor pool.

Voucher Program

The Queen’s Transplant Center also offers the NKR Voucher Program, which provides flexibility for donors and recipients. This program allows a donor to schedule their surgery at a convenient time and issue vouchers to one or more individuals who may need a transplant in the future. While vouchers increase priority, they do not guarantee a transplant.

Types of Vouchers

  • Standard Voucher
    For donors who want to donate sooner while an intended recipient is in imminent need (within a year). The voucher holder can activate it at any time. Donors may also name up to five backup voucher holders.
  • Family Voucher
    For donors who do not know someone in immediate need but want to help others by starting a donation chain. Up to five family members can receive vouchers, which can be redeemed if one of them ever needs a transplant. Once one voucher is used, all others become void.

Additional Considerations for Non-Directed Donors

Before donation, NKR voucher program consent forms must be completed by voucher holders, along with a buccal (cheek) swab for genetic profiling within 90 days of the donor’s surgery. This profile serves as a unique identifier if the voucher needs to be redeemed.

How It Works

The Queen’s Transplant Center participates with the National Kidney Registry (NKR), which uses a computerized matching system to identify compatible recipient/donor pairs nationwide. This greatly expands the donor pool and increases the chances of finding a match.

If you do not have a living donor, we encourage you to reach out to family and friends. Through kidney paired exchange, anyone can be a potential donor, even if they are not a blood type match.

To learn more about the National Kidney Registry, call our Living Donor Coordinator at 808-691-1179.

What To Expect as a Living Kidney Donor

Surgery

The Queen’s Medical Center Transplant Center team performs a kidney removal (nephrectomy) using a minimally invasive laparoscopic technique. This approach offers:

  • Less pain
  • Smaller scars
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Faster recovery than with traditional open surgery

After Surgery & Hospital Discharge

Once discharged from the hospital, living donors will have scheduled follow-up appointments at:

  • 2 weeks
  • 6 months
  • 1 year
  • 2 years

During these visits, donors meet with the transplant coordinator and doctor to monitor their kidney function and blood pressure. Lab work (urinalysis and serum creatinine) will be completed before each appointment to assess kidney health.

Queen’s Transplant Center is required to report follow-up information to the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OPTN) at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years post-donation.

Tip: Monitor your blood pressure annually. Ideal blood pressure is less than 120/70. Treatment may be needed if your blood pressure is consistently above 130/80.

Post-Surgical Care

Incision Care

  • Avoid baths, hot tubs, and swimming until cleared by your surgeon (showers are okay).
  • Let water run gently over the incision when cleaning.
  • Do not apply lotion or powder near the incision.
  • Dressings are usually not required; incision can be open to air.
  • Use light gauze for comfort if clothing irritates the incision.
  • Steri-strips (small pieces of tape covering your incision) will fall off naturally on their own; trim loose edges if needed.

Activity

  • No lifting over 10 pounds for 6 weeks.
  • Avoid strenuous activities (especially sit-ups) for 6 weeks.
  • Walking is encouraged- it helps to prevent blood clots and supports recovery.
  • Increase activity as tolerated and balance activity with rest; don’t overdo it.

Diet

  • Eat a balanced diet with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Stay hydrated - drink at least 2 liters (8 glasses) of water daily.
  • Avoid high-protein diets (e.g., Atkin’s Diet) and protein shakes-they can strain your kidney.
  • Limit saturated and trans fats.

Financial Considerations

Most donation-related costs are covered by the recipient’s insurance or Medicare, including:

  • Evaluation
  • Surgery
  • Post-operative care

Not covered:

  • Annual physicals
  • Travel and lodging
  • Lost wages
  • Non-medical expenses

Donor Shield Benefits

Living donors at the Queen’s are eligible for the National Kidney Registry’s Donor Shield program, which provides important protections and support (benefits subject to change):

  • Lost wage reimbursement
  • Donor expense reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, and dependent care costs
  • Coverage for uncovered complication costs
  • Legal support

For the most updated Donor Shield benefits, visit the Donor Shield website.

Insurance Coverage After Donation 

Living donation may affect your ability to obtain or maintain health, disability, or life insurance. It is important to:

  • Speak with your insurance provider(s) to understand any potential changes to your coverage if you donate your kidney.
  • Consult with our Financial Coordinator, who will review the financial aspects of and answer your questions.

Additional Financial Resources

The National Living Donor Assistance Program can help eligible donors with travel expenses, lost wages, and dependent care costs. Learn more on the National Living Donor Assistance Center website or contact our social worker.

Frequently Asked Questions About Donation

Living kidney donors must be 18 years of age or older and be in excellent medical and psychological health. Each potential donor meets with the Queen’s Transplant team for a thorough evaluation.

Each potential donor meets with a nurse for an initial screening and will complete blood and urine tests, as well as imaging studies (such as X-rays). The process also includes consultations with physicians and the transplant multidisciplinary team to ensure there are no medical issues that would prevent donation.

You have the right to opt out at any time. Counseling and education are provided throughout the process to help you make an informed decision.

Studies show that living kidney donors have the same life expectancy and quality of life as people who have not donated. Most donors go on to live long, healthy lives with one kidney.

Most costs related to donation are covered by the recipient’s insurance or Medicare. For more information, refer to the Financial Considerations section above.

Living donation is a personal decision. We encourage you to:

  • Do your own research
  • Speak to someone who has donated
  • Meet with the independent living donor advocate (ILDA), who will help ensure your best interests are protected.

Dispelling Common Myths About Living Kidney Donation

  • Living kidney donation does NOT reduce life expectancy.
  • Living kidney donation does NOT increase the risk of developing kidney disease.
  • Living kidney donation does NOT increase the risk of poor overall health.

Read more Living Kidney Donor Information here.

Medication Safety After Kidney Donation

Please avoid using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), as they can harm your kidney.

Over the Counter NSAID Medications to Avoid

Generic Name Brand Name
Ibuprofen Advil or Motrin
Naproxen Aleve
Aspirin Excedrin or Bayer
Ketoprofen Orudis KT

Prescription NSAID Medications to Avoid

Generic Name Brand Name
Celecoxib Celebrex
Etodolac Lodine
Indomethacin Indocin
Ketorolac Toradol
Maloxicam Mobic
Nabumetone Relafen
Sulindac Clinoril
Oxaprozin Daypro

After your donor surgery:

  • Inform your primary care physician and any other healthcare providers that you are a kidney donor.
  • If you are admitted to the hospital in the future, let your care team know that you have one kidney, so they can avoid medications that may be harmful.

Drugs that can harm kidney function are called nephrotoxins and include:

  • NSAIDS
  • Certain antibiotics
  • Some chemotherapy medications
  • Intravenous contrast dye

If you have questions about your medications, consult your doctor, living donor nurse, or pharmacist.

When to Seek Medical Attention After Donation

Call Queen’s Transplant Center immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • Increased bleeding at the incision site
  • Unusual redness, oozing, or swelling along the incision
  • Incision pulling apart
  • Fever over 100°F
  • Pain that worsens without clear cause
  • Blood in urine
  • Chills, cough, or feeling weak and achy
  • Chest pain or worsening shortness of breath
  • Persistent nausea and vomiting
  • Significant changes in bowel habits (persistent diarrhea or prolonged constipation)

Our team is here to help—report symptoms early to avoid emergency visits or hospitalization.

Organ Donation Stories

"Chances to make a real difference in someone else’s life, to ease some suffering, don't come by often…This was an opportunity that I couldn’t let pass. I’m very grateful.”
Kat KoshiKidney donor to her colleague/dance instructor.
“My dad and I celebrated an anniversary the other night…since “our” transplant – one of my kidneys became his – and life is good. The truth is I’ve never been healthier and Dad, though he has slowed down somewhat because of non-transplant related issues, is happy and active. If you have a similar opportunity to give someone a second chance at life, educate yourself to learn if it’s right for you. And if you do go ahead with a living donation I can guarantee one thing: You will never regret it. It will be a bond you both cherish for the rest of your lives.”
Jade MoonKidney donor to her father