kidney donor

[sotis]

can a 56 yr old man with out a gallbladder and is border-line diabetes donate a kidney to his 76 yr old mother who is on kidney dialysis

[sherri]

Not having a gallbladder is not an issue when undergoing eligibility to become a living kidney donor. Being a borderline diabetic is more of an issue as well as high blood pressure and certain types of cancers. Doctors do not want to create a new recipient by taking one of your kidneys if you are not healthy enough to have your lone kidney compensate. Diabetes is second to hypertension as a reason for kidney failure. You should be in contact with your mother's transplant team to ask any questions about becoming a donor. Your mother also needs to be healthy enough to be approved to be a recipient. Transplant is not a cure but a treatment for renal failure. Therefore, the risks versus the benefits need to be examined. There are some programs out there for older recipients. This means that a kidney from a deceased donor that would normally not be accepted for a matched younger recipient, may be offered to an older donor who would consider accepting a more compromised kidney. Good luck to you and your family. hope your Mom is able to do as much as she can while on hemodialysis. Some patients do very well but it is obviously a challenge.



Sherri

[Fr Pat]

Dear "Sotis",
       Your age in itself would not be a problem if you are healthy (I donated at 56, 9 years ago). But as Sherri noted above, diabetis is one of the main destroyers of kidneys, so they would want to check very carefully. They would not want you to donate and then yourself need a transplant later. Also, make sure with your mon's doctors that she is a good candidate to receive a transplant. Not all patients on dialysis are able to receive a transplant, due to other health problems. If she is a good candidate to receive a transplant, but you are not accepted for health reasons, get the word out to friends, relatives, church/synagogue members, neighbors, former co-workers and alumni etc. as there may be other people in their 50's or 60's in good health who would want to donate if they knew of the need.
    best wishes,
    Fr. Pat