What if I'm not a match but still want to be a Living Donor?
If you are not a match you can continue to pursue living donation by talking with the transplant team about Paired Kidney Exchange programs.
You can also contact other organizations which might help. Below are links to other organizations which help to facilitate exchanges. (PLEASE NOTE: these organizations and their websites are not under the control of the NKF, and NKF assumes no responsibility for their content or services. These links are provided for information purposes only, and should not be considered an endorsement or recommendation by the National Kidney Foundation.)
OPTN/UNOS Kidney Paired Donation Program The vision of the OPTN/UNOS Kidney Paired Donation Program is that every kidney transplant candidate with an incompatible but willing and approved living donor receives a living donor kidney transplant. The mission is to develop a successful Kidney Paired Donation (KPD) program with universal access to all UNOS/OPTN members that prioritizes the medical and psychosocial safety of living donors and candidates.
Alliance for Paired Donation The mission of the Alliance for Paired Donation™ is to save lives by significantly reducing the wait time for a kidney transplant through kidney paired donation.
National Kidney Registry 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 in the world.
What Else Can I Do?
You may not be able to be a living donor – or you may decide that living donation isn't right for you. You can still help those awaiting life–saving organ transplants. Here are a few ways you can make a difference.
- Be a Donor after your death.
- Donate blood, which also saves lives every day. For more information about blood donation, contact the American Red Cross at (800) GIVE–LIFE.
- Join the bone marrow registry. For more information about bone marrow or blood stem cell donation, contact the National Marrow Donor Program at (800) MARROW2.
- Volunteer or make a donation: Contact the NKF at (800) 622-9010 to make a donation, or for information about NKF offices in your area. Your local NKF office can provide you with information about any volunteer opportunities in your area.
