Just to add that the "livingdonorassistance" program of the government will only help with the donor's expenses if the recipient is below a certain income level. Perhaps the transplant coordinator or social worker at the recipient's hospital would help you with the paper-work involved? Also ask them if they know of local places that offer reduced-rate (or free) lodging to living donors who come for surgery.
It is quite legal in the U.S. for the recipient and/or donor to hold fundraising drives or activities to cover the travel/lodging costs of the donor and any lost wages, as long as the donor does not make any financial profit (but just "breaks even"). If more money is raised than is needed, it can be donated elsewhere. But some donors have been unpleasantly surprised to find that they were out of work in recovery longer than expected and ran into real problems due to lost wages. So any donations raised should be kept handy until it is sure that all expenses have been covered.
SOME States with State Income Tax give a certain amount of tax write-off to living donors, so check the State where you live.
I THINK that
www.transplants.org might have some fund-raising information, but I'm not sure.
best wishes,
Fr. Pat
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