I just found out some interesting reading on kidney donation..which I thought I would share..

I found all this information and more at: National Kidney Foundation Of Arizona

http://community.azkidney.org/page.aspx?pid=454

If you feel you would make a good candidate or would like to do a screening to see if you qualify... please contact our center:

University of Arizona Medical Center
Tucson, AZ
http://bit.ly/UMCTransplant
520.694.0111

Kidney Transplants Saves Lives

When someone living with kidney failure receives a kidney transplant, especially from a living donor, there are immediate results. The new kidney begins to remove toxins from the recipient’s body within hours. The recipient’s recovery time is shortened, and many other health complications that came from the kidney failure reverse or slow. The recipient’s energy returns, and he or she no longer needs to schedule life around a dialysis machine.
A living kidney donor allows the recipient the privilege of “paying it forward” by giving someone else his or her place in line. What is even more remarkable in living kidney donation? Kidneys transplanted from living kidney donors provide up to double the years of function versus a post-mortem kidney. When you donate the gift of a kidney, you not only change the recipient’s life for the better, but often the lives of loved ones as well. As best said by many valiant living kidney donors, “giving while living” was by far their most meaningful lifetime achievement. Become part of this growing movement today!

Information You Need to Know

In order to qualify as a living donor, an individual must be in good general health, and free from serious health risks. Routine tests are also performed to determine the potential donor's level of physical and mental health, and compatibility with the patient awaiting a transplant. Gender and race are not factors in determining a successful match. People of all ages and backgrounds can be organ donors; however, those under age 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian.
There have been more than 107,000 living kidney donors to date who have given the Gift of Life. The surgery is now done laparoscopically with shorter recovery time and less risk. Typically, the recipient’s insurance covers the donor’s medical costs related to testing and procedure. Living donors do not need to be blood-related or even blood-type compatible. All living donors are awarded points for their donation, so if they ever need a kidney later in life, they are given priority on the list.