National Donate Life Month
Organ transplants can give kidney disease patients — as well as people suffering from countless other chronic illnesses — a chance to lead longer, healthier lives. That's why we at Northwest Kidney Centers celebrate National Donate Life Month in April. (Dave LeFevre, left, donated a kidney to friend Bill Bennett in 2005.)
Did you know?
• More than 110,000 people in the U.S. are currently on the waiting list for an organ transplant; 88,000 of those are waiting for a kidney.
• The average waiting time for a kidney transplant in our region is 18 months to 5 years.
• Patients with certain blood types may wait longer, and some patients are harder to match
There are two types of kidney donation: donating one of your kidneys while you are alive, or signing up to be an organ donor after death.
Living donation
• The transplant is generally more successful and lasts longer.
• The kidney is healthier and in better condition.
• You can donate to a friend, family member or acquaintance (called a directed donation), or to anyone in need (altruistic donation).
Deceased donation
• You give permission for your kidneys to be used after your death.
• Check "yes" for organ donation on your driver's license.
Visit LifeCenter Northwest and register to become an organ and tissue donor upon your death. Or, learn more about living kidney donation.