In living donation, the following blood types are compatible:
- Donors with blood type A... can donate to recipients with blood types A and AB
- Donors with blood type B... can donate to recipients with blood types B and AB
- Donors with blood type AB... can donate to recipients with blood type AB only
- Donors with blood type O... can donate to recipients with blood types A, B, AB and O (O is the universal donor: donors with O blood are compatible with any other blood type)
So,
- Recipients with blood type O... can receive a kidney from blood type O only
- Recipients with blood type A... can receive a kidney from blood types A and O
- Recipients with blood type B... can receive a kidney from blood types B and O
- Recipients with blood type AB... can receive a kidney from blood types A, B, AB and O (AB is the universal recipient: recipients with AB blood are compatible with any other blood type)
However, there are some programs are available to help donor/recipient pairs with blood types that are otherwise incompatible: paired exchange and plasmapheresis.
Kidney Donation
If you have two healthy kidneys, you may be able to donate one to improve or even save someone else’s life. Ready to take the first step?
Need help getting the conversation started?
Call our hotline
1.855.653.2273
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About NKF Cares
NKF Cares is a free, confidential hotline with trained professionals ready to answer your questions or concerns. Our peer-mentoring program, NKF PEERS, connects anyone affected by kidney disease with an informed and supportive mentor who has already been through the process.