There is very little debate when discussing the benefits of Kidney Transplantation compared to Dialysis. According to some general resources, a Kidney Transplant could double life expectancy compared to staying on Dialysis. While it is typically agreed that someone’s life would improve "dramatically" when they are not dependent on Dialysis, the difference between Living Kidney Donation and Deceased Kidney Donation is often less obvious. However, several organizations including the website, Living Kidney Donor Search are now openly stating, "By far, a kidney patient’s best chance for survival is to receive a kidney from a Living Donor rather than a Deceased Donor."

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Deceased Kidney Donors are individuals who have irreversibly lost all brain function while Living Kidney Donors are living family members, friends, acquaintances or in a growing number of cases from a kindhearted stranger which a Chronic Kidney Disease or Dialysis patient had never met previously. Over 5,000 people die every year while waiting on the Kidney Transplant List, and Deceased Kidney Donation has just not been able to keep up with the dire need for transplants. Living Kidney Donation has "revolutionized" the Chronic Kidney Disease Community and has numerous substantial advantages such as the following :

1. Kidney survival success rates are considerably better in those who receive a kidney from a Living Kidney Donor. On average, "kidneys transplanted from Living Donors last nearly twice as long as kidneys transplanted from Deceased Donors—sometimes up to 30 years or more," noted Suzanne Kloss (Living Kidney Donor Search).

2. Why wait? Waiting for a Deceased Donor can be very stressful and unhealthy. Plus it can keep you on Dialysis longer which can impact the success of a Kidney Transplant. In some states, such as Ohio, the waiting time for a Deceased Kidney Donor is so long that, "33 percent of those on the list will have died" by the time their name may be called, suggested Suzanne. All the more reason to try and get a Kidney Transplant sooner.

3. Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients live longer with a Kidney Transplant from a Living Donor. A patient's health can deteriorate the longer they remain on Dialysis waiting for a Kidney Transplant because the treatments can be very hard on the body. Also, the longer they wait, the more extensive the Dialysis and the higher the risk of post-operation Kidney Transplant Failure grows. 

4. It's alive! Living donor kidneys almost always start functioning immediately. Whereas deceased donor kidneys can take from a few days to a few weeks to start functioning. It is much easier to monitor a kidney that works immediately. 

5. You're the best. A transplant from the poorest-matched Living Donor is more successful than one from the best-matched Deceased Donor. Living donation allows time for more extensive testing of potential live donors than for deceased donors. A Chronic Kidney Disease or Dialysis patient's Healthcare Team is given more time to know the donor's lifestyle choices, and medical history to find the donor who is most compatible with the recipient. A better match lessens the risk of rejection once the kidney is transplanted. 

6. On top of the many personal reasons for why Living Kidney Donation is best, you may also save the life of another patient. Every living donation shortens the time other patients wait for a Deceased Kidney Donor, helping another person receive a kidney sooner. "Twice as many people survive every time someone becomes a living donor," said Suzanne Kloss.

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Let's be clear, those on Dialysis can still do very well if they do not get a kidney. In fact, some have lived full lives on Dialysis for over 30 years. However, most agree that a Kidney Transplant is the preferred option. There are many ways to connect with Living Kidney Donors including:
1. Talk to your family and friends.
2. Strike up conversations with members of your church or other close-knit groups.
3. Sign up and allow KidneyBuzz.com to share your story on Social Media and build a tailored audience of kindhearted individuals who may empathize with your need for a Kidney Transplant and offer to be tested on your behalf. The mother of one successful patient wrote, "This is Thomas Heglin's mom. First of all, we wanted to thank you and Kidney Buzz so much for everything you did. As you know Thomas did receive his new kidney." Click here for more information and testimonials. 

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Share your story at the KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Fan Page. Let others know how you are actively outreaching to connect with Altruistic Living Kidney Donors. Over 100,000 people are on the Kidney Transplant waiting list, so your insights may greatly help others. Join our other 34,000+ friends and like the KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Page (click here). Also, turn to KidneyBuzz.com daily for the latest breaking news and information which teaches those with Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure how to better manage and improve their lives. A regular visitor, Charles Griffin said, "Praise God for KidneyBuzz."

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