HOW ONE CAN SAVE EIGHT
Become A Donor Today
ORGAN DONATION: WHICH TYPE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
The 3 Types of Organ Donation
Directed Donation
Donating an organ to a family member or friend
Paired Donation
Two or more pairs of living donors swapping to make a compatible match
Non-Directed Donation
Donating an organ without naming someone
Since 2013 there has been a 2% decrease in living kidney donors.
Why consider donation?
Nationally, more than 100,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Sadly, because the need is not met, nearly 20 people die each day waiting. But you can make a difference.
Anyone should consider themselves a donor. There are no age limits, no physical or medical requirements, no waiting periods, and no tests. All you need is the will to save a life and a moment of your time to register.
Only 44% of eligible Tennesseans are registered donors – considerably below the national average of 54%. Imagine how many lives could be saved if we close the registration gap in Tennessee.
Why consider donation?
Nationally, more than 100,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Sadly, because the need is not met, nearly 20 people die each day waiting. But you can make a difference.
Anyone should consider themselves a donor. There are no age limits, no physical or medical requirements, no waiting periods, and no tests. All you need is the will to save a life and a moment of your time to register.
Only 44% of eligible Tennesseans are registered donors – considerably below the national average of 54%. Imagine how many lives could be saved if we close the registration gap in Tennessee.
In 2023, more than 6,900 people became living organ donors.
What is a living donor?
With living donation, a living person donates an organ or part of an organ for transplantation. Most living donors donate one of their kidneys or a part of their liver. Much more rarely, living donors may donate other organs. Living organ donors make thousands of transplants possible every year.
WHO CAN BECOME A LIVING DONOR?
Living donors should be:
- older than 18 years of age
- in good physical and mental health
If you have certain medical conditions you may be ineligible to be a living donor because those illnesses can risk harming the transplant recipient. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, certain infections, or an uncontrolled psychiatric condition.
Prior to donating it is important to be fully informed of the known risks involved and to complete a full medical and psychosocial evaluation. Your decision to donate should be completely voluntary and free of pressure or guilt.
WHY BECOME A LIVING DONOR?
THE KATIE KISER STORY
In January 2025, I came across a shared Facebook post from a mother seeking a kidney donor for her son. Thomas, a 3-year-old boy with CKD, needed a kidney transplant, and his parents were not a match for him. A living kidney donor would be the fastest and best option for him. As a mother, my heart broke to put myself in her position. I felt a calling on my heart to reach out to the hospital to be tested as a kidney donor.
The testing continued with favorable outcomes, and I found out I was a match for Thomas in the late spring. In that time, Thomas had an illness that paused our progress towards transplant, but allowed our relationship with his family to grow. He recovered stronger than before and I was able to donate my left kidney to Thomas on September 23, 2025. I am in contact with his parents daily as he recovers, and I consider them part of my family now. We are both living answered prayers as we continue healing.
Donating my kidney to a stranger has truly been the most rewarding and life-changing experience of my life. I felt supported every step of the way by the transplant center team. I have learned more about my health during this process and gained a new perspective on the life of someone living with CKD. Seeing how difficult life can be for patients with CKD, it made the decision easy to give as a living donor. I encourage anyone to reach out and learn if you can give the gift of time and life to someone in our community.
Helping Living Donors
Together we can eliminate the wait and give more people a second chance at life.
UT Medical Center for Transplant Services
The University of Tennessee Medical Center’s Center for Transplant Services is home to the only kidney transplant program in East Tennessee. We are a leading provider of organ transplantation in our region, and we have given thousands of people new hope and longer life since our first successful kidney transplant in 1985.
Ascension Saint Thomas Kidney Transplant Center
At Ascension Saint Thomas Kidney Transplant Center, our care teams provide comprehensive care for your kidney transplant needs. From evaluating potential kidney donors to performing advanced transplant procedures, we work with you to create a long-term post-transplant care plan.
