I was reading about kidney donation today and now I find myself faced with a dilemma.

To begin with, humans can live a full, normal life with only one kidney because the remaining kidney grows to do the work of two. Thus, life expectancy is not known to be affected when we have only one kidney.

In the US, there is a shortage of organs, particularly for kidneys. In light of the above information, wouldn't it be prudent to encourage everyone to be willing to donate their extra kidney? (They usually only take the kidney when they're going to give it to someone right away, I hear, so most people would end up not donating anyhow.)

Finally, the question I am asking myself is: What reasons are there *against* donating a kidney?

I turn the question to you guys.

Let me add that complications - internal bleeding and infection - are extremely rare during kidney transplant surgery. What's more, internal bleeding can be stopped and infections can be treated, making the risk even smaller.

I'm ready to harvest when dead assuming the situation is one which is conducive to harvesting. In the interim, I could just see it being my luck to give one away and then have the other crap out on me. But, you bring up a good point. There are so many people on dialysis, yet I see no "advertising" per se for those willing to be live donators. But, if the need should arise and a family member or close friend needed one, it would be brought to my attention and would definitely be up for consideration.

you might be able to live with one kidney but then you dont know if later on down the line if there is going to be a problem with that one
as we found out over 4yrs ago that my son only has one kidney. and he now is on dialysis after the life ordeal he went through the end of dec of 2007 when we almost lost him..

im also on dialyis have been for 3yrs but i also have had problem with my kidneys for over 25yrs they think longer

my son and i both have a birthdefect that causes issue with the kidneys

my mom is my donor.. but her age is the main factor so she really cant donate

It is my understanding that living kidneys are more readily accepted by others than dead ones.

This question goes for bone marrow too...

It's a good one.

Answers? We are a selfish people who use our sick time for ourselves and our children (I know my kid sucks up a lot of mine). If we don't get something out of an act we rarely do it.

If you donate when you are alive, the person receiving will live a lot longer, normally. From a cadaver not as long.

Im all for kidney donation, but you have to have at least 13 out 15 of the criteria to donate to a person.

Can you give a short synopsis of the criteria involved?

well its too complex and the kidney foundation will no exactly. But what I do know is that you have to be at least the same race. Sad but true. My ex hubby was filipino, is on dialysis and I cannot donate because I am white.

I hope these issues become easier with time, and I wish you the best.
Perhaps your situation is a bit different though - it looks like there may be something genetic.

As for your mother, yesterday, I found a program that does something interesting:
If your mother is willing to donate a kidney in your name, I believe this organization will exchange that kidney for a compatible one. I hope this information can be of use to you.
Here's the link. Scroll down to the section called "Exchange Programs."

http://www.unos.org/qa.asp

My ex bf's father is on the list. None of his three sons will donate to him. I don't blame them.....

i dont know who told you that the race maters for it does not.. i had even ask that in the kidney group im in and it does not matter on race.

These days, someone on dialysis may live another 10-20 years. With your kidney, that person can live into his or her 90's.

I do not mean to attack, but instead to just offer this information and another question:

What is more important? The "what if" that your may suddenly need an extra kidney OR giving someone their entire life back?

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE THE SAME RACE!!!

Thank you for repeating. I think that's a very important point to make people aware of.

for me, 'someone' just isn't close enough that i would be willing (no matter how low the percentage) to risk my own life in order to save theirs. they'd have to be pretty close to me (and i'm talking children, parents and/or spouse) before i'd be undergoing that surgery.

there are a lot of selfless people out there; unfortunately, i am not one of them.

apparantly you do!!! Ive been in this circus before....

I believe you......hehe...... Maybe you've both just been given different information.

Here is the literature against your claim:
http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingDonors/infoPrograms.cfm

What's more, in the case of incompatibility, you can do a "Kidney Exchange:"

One states that they are willing to donate a kidney for a loved one. In exchange, a compatible kidney is shipped over and given to the loved one.

Scroll down this page to the "Exchange Program" section:
http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingDonors/infoPrograms.cfm

Thanks for posting this. It's a topic I wanted to learn more about & never seem to get around to doing the research. If I have 2 of something & only need one, & the other could save a life, I want to know more about it. I have kidney stones & am not sure how that would affect my eligbiliy to donate, or if it would be smart for me to only leave myself with one.

I don't know about kidney stones, but I would guess that you can still donate. Kidney stones usually develop because of a mixture of genetics and diet. On the genetics side, it means you process certain metals (calcium) less efficiently, pr perhaps the channels inside the kidneys are too narrow. As a result, you have accumulation (not sure about this...this is just my understanding).
.
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, but you may want to look into changing your diet. Google and Wiki kidney stones and you may find resources that can help you improve your diet.