Benefits of Sacred Heart’s living kidney donation program

The gift of living kidney donation

Every day, thousands of people across the United States are waiting for a life-changing phone call, a call letting them know a kidney is available for transplant. For many, that wait can take years. But there is another path that can help patients receive a transplant sooner: living kidney donation.

At Ascension Sacred Heart Kidney Transplant Program in Pensacola, Florida, our team is committed to helping patients with advanced chronic kidney disease or kidney failure explore every available treatment option, including living kidney donation. It's an opportunity that not only transforms the life of the recipient but also gives donors the chance to make an extraordinary difference in someone else's future.

What is living kidney donation?

Unlike many other organs in our body, a healthy person can donate one of their kidneys and continue living a full, healthy life. That's because one healthy kidney is capable of filtering enough blood to meet the body's needs.

A living donor may be a family member, friend, coworker or even someone who chooses to donate to help those in need. Before donation, every potential donor undergoes a thorough medical evaluation to ensure donation is safe for both the donor and recipient. Compatibility is determined through blood type, crossmatch testing, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing and an overall health assessment.

The advantages of a living kidney donor

Living donor transplantation offers several important advantages for patients.

One of the greatest benefits is the opportunity to receive a transplant sooner. Rather than waiting for a deceased donor organ to become available, a living donor transplant can often be scheduled once both individuals have completed the evaluation process.

Receiving a transplant earlier may help patients avoid years on dialysis or even receive a transplant before dialysis becomes necessary. Earlier transplantation can improve quality of life and allow patients to return to many of the activities they enjoy with greater independence.

For many recipients, living donor kidneys also begin functioning immediately after surgery, allowing for a smoother recovery and better long-term outcomes.

A team that supports you at every step

Choosing transplantation is an important decision, and patients shouldn't have to navigate it alone.

At Ascension Sacred Heart, patients are cared for by a multidisciplinary transplant team that includes transplant surgeons, transplant nephrologists, nurse coordinators, living donor coordinators, pharmacists, dietitians, licensed clinical social workers, financial coordinators and referral specialists. Together, they provide personalized care before, during and after transplant surgery.

From the moment a referral is received, our team works closely with patients to coordinate evaluations, schedule any necessary imaging or laboratory testing, review medical history and develop an individualized care plan. Every step is designed to help patients feel informed, supported and confident throughout their transplant journey.

Knowledge is also an important part of successful transplant care.

Ascension Sacred Heart offers both virtual and in-person education classes to help patients and their families understand what to expect before surgery, during recovery and throughout life after transplant. These educational sessions cover medications, lifestyle changes, follow-up care and other topics that help patients prepare for long-term success.

Patients also have a dedicated transplant coordinator who serves as a trusted resource for questions, appointment scheduling, and connecting them with additional services and support.

Bringing specialized care closer to home

For patients across the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama and surrounding Gulf Coast communities, access to specialized transplant care is closer than ever.

Ascension Sacred Heart is the only kidney transplant program located between Jacksonville, Gainesville, New Orleans and Birmingham. That means many patients can receive advanced transplant care without traveling hundreds of additional miles away from their families and support systems. Staying closer to home can reduce travel burdens while making it easier for loved ones to remain involved throughout the transplant process.

Could living donation be right for you?

Whether you're living with kidney disease, have been told you may need a transplant or are interested in becoming a living donor, starting the conversation early is important.

A referral from your kidney doctor or primary care provider is the first step toward determining whether kidney transplantation is right for you. From there, the transplant team at Ascension Sacred Heart will guide you through a comprehensive evaluation and answer your questions every step of the way.

Living kidney donation is one of the greatest gifts a person can give. It has the power to restore health, provide hope, and create lasting connections between donors, recipients and families. At Ascension Sacred Heart, we're honored to help make those life-changing stories possible through compassionate, comprehensive transplant care.

Learn more about our Ascension Sacred Heart Kidney Transplant Program.