1. Kidney Transplant
The Preferred Treatment for Most Patients with Kidney Failure
Information for Patients
July 2018

2. Topics Transplant as a treatment option Benefits of a transplant
Types of transplants
Eligibility for transplant
Assessing suitability for transplant
Transplant surgery and follow-up
Finding a living donor
July 2018

3. What is a Kidney Transplant?
An operation (surgery) which places a healthy kidney inside your body.
July 2018

4. Why Consider a Kidney Transplant?
Dialysis is not needed
Most transplants last over 10 years
Compared to dialysis, people with transplants often:
Live longer than those on dialysis
Have better health and energy
Live a more “normal” life:
Eat and drink with fewer restrictions
Do regular daily activities
Enjoy more freedom, including travel
July 2018

5. Types of Transplant Living Donor Transplant
The kidney donor is alive
Can be done before dialysis is needed (“pre-emptive”)
Shorter wait time
Actual wait time depends on blood group and presence of antibodies.
Deceased Donor Transplant (dialysis patients only)
The kidney donor has died
Must be on dialysis before being placed on the waitlist
Waitlist is 2 to 8 years
July 2018

6. Benefits of Living Versus Deceased Donor
Transplants from living donors:
Last longer
Have a lower risk of rejection
Allow better overall health
If pre-emptive, diet restrictions and health complications may be avoided
Shorter waiting time for transplant
Talk with your Kidney Care Team about finding a living donor. Resources are available.
July 2018

7. Process - Living vs Deceased Donor
July 2018

8. Am I Eligible for a Transplant?
Because kidney transplant is a complex surgery and requires taking anti-rejection drugs and medical follow up for the rest of your life, your team will make sure this is suitable for you.
**Anti-rejection medications are provided
without cost to you and are usually well tolerated.
July 2018

9. Am I Eligible for a Transplant?
Your kidney care team will assess your overall health.
They will assess the impact of transplant and follow-up care for you
They will review any other medical conditions you have
They will review your supports
Many patients find it helpful to talk with their social worker about ways to navigate system challenges.
**There is no specific age cut-off but most transplant recipients are < 80yrs
July 2018

10. Transplant is a Possibility… What’s next?
You will be referred to the transplant team at St. Paul’s Hospital or Vancouver General Hospital.
Your current (local) kidney care team will start the workup (e.g., blood type, cardiac tests, cancer screening).
The transplant team will:
Complete additional tests (Ideally in your home community - some travel to Vancouver is required)
Let you know if transplant is suitable for you
*People with a potential living donor are assessed more quickly.
July 2018

11. I am Suitable for a Transplant… What’s next?
If you have a living donor, transplant surgery will be arranged when your GFR starts to fall (usually at 15 or less).
If no living donor is involved, you will be put on the deceased donor waitlist when you start on dialysis.
July 2018

12. What Does the Surgery Involve?
Your original kidneys are usually left in place.
The transplanted kidney is placed in your lower abdomen (belly).
Surgery takes 3-5 hours.
Stay in hospital 5-7 days.
July 2018

13. What happens after Surgery?
You visit the Transplant Centre:
Twice a week for the first month
Once a week for 2 months
Frequency of visits will decrease over time
If you live outside the Lower Mainland you will need to move to Vancouver for 2-3 months after your transplant. Your social worker can help with planning.
Once you are stable, the team will arrange follow-up care at a Post Transplant Clinic closer to your home.
July 2018

14. How Do I Find a Living Donor?
Finding a living donor can seem difficult.
You may feel a range of emotions and concerns as you
consider talking to others about donating a kidney.
You may feel:
Confused about who could be a potential donor
Hesitant to ask a potential donor
Unsure of how to go about it
Disappointed that no one has offered to donate
Concern about the impact on the donor and their daily life
Fear for the future health of the person donating
Anxious about feeling indebted to the donor
Concerned your relationship with the donor may change.
Mar 10, 2018

15. How Do I Find a Living Donor?
Remember
You are not alone in this process.
Your kidney care team will give you information, tools and support to make you more comfortable with the process and help you succeed in finding a living donor.
July 2018

16. How Do I Find a Living Donor?
Think about people or groups to approach
Start with people closest to you:
Family, friends, co-workers, neighbours
People from church or clubs & organizations
The donor pool is often greater than you think.
Did you know?
Donors do not have to be blood relatives or same blood type.
Donors do not have to live in BC.
People often offer to donate without being asked. Many feel donation is a natural fit for them.
July 2018

17. How Do I Find a Living Donor?
Some ways to reach out to individuals or groups:
Personal conversations.
Writing letters or s.
(We can share some sample outreach letters)
Using Facebook or other social media Your social worker can guide you to do this safely.
Ask a friend or family member to be a “donor champion” to help get the word out.
July 2018

18. Living Donation: the Process
Key points for potential donors
They can gather information and be assessed before before making a commitment to donate.
They are screened carefully to make sure they are medically OK to donate a kidney.
They can live healthy, normal lives with one kidney.
The assessment process is confidential.
Mar 2, 2018

19. Living Donation: the Process
Key points for potential donors
At any time a prospective donor can choose not to proceed with the donation.
A donor must start the screening process by contacting the Living Donor Team at Vancouver General Hospital or St Paul's Hospital.
If a donor is not a match, they may participate in a national paired exchange with other non-matching donor and recipient pairs.
July 2018

20. Living Donation: the Surgery
Donor surgery:
Is done on the same day as for the recipient
Is booked in advance and allows time for planning
Occurs in Vancouver, usually requires 2-4 nights in hospital
Out-of-town donors should expect to stay a week in Vancouver
Most donors:
Return to light activities within 2 weeks (e.g., driving)
Return to full activities within 6-12 weeks
Return to work after 4-6 weeks if their job does not require lifting or physical activity
July 2018

21. Living Donation: Practical Help
Pre-emptive transplant allows for planning and organization.
Family and friends often volunteer to help with transportation, household chores and child care.
Some donors may also be able to access private benefits and employment insurance.
Most employers recognize kidney donation as a legitimate medical reason to be off work.
July 2018

22. Living Donation: Practical Help
Programs which support living donors:
Living Donor Expense Reimbursement Program can help donors with costs, including time away from work.
Living Donor Mentor Program can match potential living donors with mentors who have already donated a kidney. Call PEER (7337). support
July 2018

23. Living Donation: Keys to Success
Provide regular updates to your family and friends about your health.
Invite donors to contact the Transplant Centre for more information.
Multiple donors can come forward at the same time.
Understand that finding a donor can take a while.
Trust the process and your kidney care team—they will support you through this.
July 2018 23

24. Resources for Patients and Donors
BC Transplant
BC Renal Agency
BC Kidney Foundation
Ph: /
July 2018

25. Contact Information
Vancouver General Hospital Transplant Team
ph: /
St. Paul’s Hospital Transplant Team
ph: /
July 2018