Become a Living Kidney Donor

A living kidney donor must always be a voluntary choice, one that you make without pressure from others. Knowing the facts will help you decide if this option is the right choice for you.​ Additionally, filling out a form doesn't automatically mean you'll be a kidney donor. The health requirements are rigorous. A volunteer donor will be assessed and tested comprehensively and in the end, may not even qualify to donate.​
It's a myth that only one special individual can offer to be a living organ donor.
Find out to learn why.
One donor at a time for each recipient is evaluated. If several donors come forward at the same time, the donor who is most likely to be my match will be tested first. If this donor is deemed unsuitable by the living donor team, then another donor will be tested. For privacy reasons, no information is provided to me with any information about potential donors, including how many people have submitted applications.

The University Health Network's Living Donor Program will walk you through the process. 

​The program will:
  • Carefully assess and test donors to see if they can donate;
  • Educate donors about the transplant process; and
  • Provide exceptional patient care at all stages of the transplant journey.

The transplant program is located at the Toronto General Hospital, Munk Building 12th Floor. Toronto General Hospital ranks the number 1 hospital in Canada, and fifth in the world. You'll get excellent care. 

About the Program:
  • Largest kidney transplant program in Canada with excellent patient outcomes
  • Over 5,000 kidney transplants since program started over 50 years ago
  • Over 1,600 living donor transplants since 1966
  • Follow-up care provided to more than 2,500 patients
  • Pioneering research leading to advances in transplant medicine
  • Compassionate experts working hard to achieve the best possible outcomes for each patient

Information for Living Donors
Hand holding kidney

Did you know? A living donor kidney transplant lasts, on average, 21 years, compared to 11 years for a deceased donor kidney transplant.​
  1. Complete a Living Donor Health History Form
  2. Submit the completed form in person, by email, mail or fax. All contact information is on the form.
  3. The Living Kidney Donor Assessment Office will call you once they have reviewed your health history form. Please review the Living Donor Manual prior to the call and consider registering for one of their educational sessions.
Did you know? More than 3,000 Canadians are on a waiting list for kidney transplantation.

Patients with end stage kidney disease often wait many years for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. A living kidney donor may decrease this wait time.