This type of organ donation, which allows a family member or friend to donate an organ for a loved one, is becoming increasingly popular. The vast majority of these organ donations involve kidney transplants, as the human body can function normally with one healthy kidney. Relatives can be ideal kidney donors because the strong genetic match between recipient and donor can improve the lifespan of the transplanted organ.
Recipients of living donor organs typically have excellent outcomes, not just because of the genetic match, but because they do not wait for years for an organ, during which recipients often experience a decline in their health.
