Living Liver Donation
Many people are familiar with living kidney donation, but fewer know that it’s also possible to donate a portion of your liver while you’re alive. In 2024, 10,854 liver transplants were performed using deceased donors, while only 604 came from living donors.
The liver is unique: unlike most organs, it can regenerate. As a living liver donor, you don’t donate your entire liver—only a portion, typically the left lobe or right lobe, depending on the recipient’s needs. Both your liver and the recipient’s will grow back to full size, usually within 6 to 8 weeks.
Why Living Liver Donation Matters
Thousands of people are on the waitlist for a liver transplant, but many won’t receive one in time due to a shortage of deceased donor organs. A living liver donor transplant has several advantages over a deceased liver donor transplant:
- Shorter Wait Time: A living donor can be evaluated and scheduled for surgery much faster than waiting for a deceased donor match.
- Planned Surgery: The transplant can be scheduled at a time that works for both the donor and the recipient, allowing for better preparation and recovery planning.
- Better Outcomes: Recipients of living donor livers often experience faster recovery, fewer complications, and longer-lasting results. This is because the donated segment comes from a healthy person, is transplanted promptly, and is less likely to suffer damage before surgery.
Who Can Donate?
Living liver donors must be healthy adults with good liver function. Comprehensive testing is required to ensure donation is safe for both the donor and the recipient.
What to Expect
After donation, donors typically stay in the hospital for several days and take 6–8 weeks to recover fully. Most return to normal life with no long-term effects on liver function.
Comprehensive Protections for Living Liver Donors
If you become a living liver donor through the National Liver Registry, you’ll be covered by the Donor Shield program, which includes:
- Lost Wage Reimbursement: Up to $2,000 per week for up to 12 weeks.
- Donor Expense Reimbursement: Up to $8,000 for travel and dependent care costs.
- Legal Support: Assistance for issues related to employment or insurance discrimination.
Liver Donor Shield
For more information on Liver Donor Shield, please visit donorshield.com/liver-donors/