The questions most people ask about living donation.

Yes. Living donors are carefully evaluated to ensure donation is safe, and most people go on to live full, healthy, active lives with one kidney. Long-term follow-up studies of living donors have shown outcomes very similar to the general population.

Even if you and Mayur aren’t a direct blood-type or tissue match, you may still be able to help through paired kidney exchange — a program that allows donor/recipient pairs to swap so that everyone ends up with a compatible match.

Paired kidney exchange (also called kidney paired donation) links two or more donor/recipient pairs whose donors aren’t a direct match for their intended recipient. The kidneys are swapped so each recipient receives a compatible donation. Johns Hopkins participates in national paired-exchange networks.

Yes. The donor questionnaire and evaluation process at Johns Hopkins are fully confidential, and Mayur will only ever learn what you choose to share with him directly.

No. You can pause or stop the process at any point for any reason, at no cost to you. There is never pressure or obligation to continue.

In the U.S., medical costs related to a living donor’s evaluation and surgery are generally covered by the recipient’s insurance. Programs also exist to help with lost wages and travel — the transplant team can walk you through what applies to you.

Most living donors are up and around within a day or two after surgery, home within a few days, and back to normal activities within 4–6 weeks. Your care team will personalize a recovery plan based on your work and lifestyle.

Extensive follow-up research suggests living donors have life expectancy and long-term health outcomes very similar to the general population, thanks to the careful pre-donation evaluation process.

Age alone doesn’t disqualify someone from donating. The transplant team looks at overall health, kidney function, and medical history — many donors are in their 50s, 60s, or older.

Yes. Johns Hopkins has independent living donor advocates whose only role is to answer your questions and support your decision — with no pressure to move forward.

Sharing Mayur’s story is genuinely one of the most impactful things you can do. Most donors first hear about the person they help through a friend, colleague, or family member. See the "Ways You Can Help" section below.