The potential donor will have a thorough medical and social evaluation to determine that he or she is healthy and that there is not anything that puts them at additional risks for future health problems related to the surgery, anesthesia and donation.
The first step is for the donor to complete our confidential online health history questionnaire. If you are considering being a donor for a patient at Baylor Dallas, see our Dallas information card (English) or Dallas information card (Spanish). If you are considering being a donor for a patient at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth, see our Fort Worth information card (English) or Fort Worth information card (Spanish). If you are considering being a donor for a patient at Baylor Scott & White – Temple, see our Temple information card (English).
Once the questionnaire is completed, your information will be reviewed by a living donor coordinator. If you are a possible candidate, the coordinator will contact you to review your health history questionnaire and answer any questions you may have.
This step is followed by financial approval through the recipient insurance for testing. If approved, then the donor is scheduled for medical tests including blood work, urine tests, EKG, chest X-ray, CT scan. In addition, a multidisciplinary team evaluation including consult with a nephrologist (kidney specialist), surgeon, social worker and donor advocate. The length of the testing process depends on availability of the potential donor, but can often be completed within one week. We make every effort to accommodate the donor’s schedule.
Donors are required to have routine cancer screenings such as pap smears, mammograms and colonoscopies through their own physician depending on their age and gender.
The evaluation results are presented to the transplant team to determine if the donor is suitable for donation. Once approval is obtained by the transplant team for the donor and recipient, the transplant can be scheduled.