The Donation Process
We are working with UHN (University Health Network) in Toronto, Canada. The donor and recipient evaluations are processed through UHN, and the surgery would take place in Toronto. We know this process might seem daunting and we will help you navigate this.
https://www.uhn.ca/Transplant/Living_Donor_Program/Pages/liver_donor_evaluation.aspx
Note: You do not have to live in Canada or be a Canadian citizen to be a donor.
1. If you are interested in applying for the donation process you may contact us first or directly submit a Donor Health History Form along with a documentation of your blood type to the Living Liver Donor program.
https://www.uhn.ca/Transplant/Living_Donor_Program/Documents/Living_Donor_Health_History_Form.pdf
2. Donors must be blood type B+, B-, O+ O-, age 16-60 and be willing to freely donate.
The liver is unique in its ability to regenerate. This means that only a portion of the donor’s liver is needed, and it will grow back to its full size within 6 to 8 weeks.
3. Donors must not have a BMI >35, cancer, diabetes, kidney or heart disease.
4. If you have any questions about donation, feel free to contact us at MarkNeedsALiver18@gmail.com or call (204) 290-9618.
5. If you are a suitable donor, the program will contact you for a preliminary appointment. A preliminary appointment includes: blood tests, ECG, chest x-ray and meeting with a transplant assessment coordinator and donor doctor.
6. If the transplant team decides you are a suitable donor, you will move onto the second step of the evaluation where you will have more in depth testing performed. Additionally, you will meet with a social worker, an independent medical team, and an anesthesiologist.
7. After your evaluation is done, your donor team will review all your test results and will talk to you about whether donating a part of your liver is right for you.
Donor safety is their first priority. UHN will not compromise the donor assessment process even if the recipient is very sick.