Becoming an Organ Donor
A person can give no greater gift than the gift of life. One person can save and improve the lives of 75 people through organ, tissue and eye donation.
By joining the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, you can help give that gift. Learn more about Organ Donation in Michigan.
University of Michigan Health is recognized by the American Society of Transplantation as a Living Donor Circle of Excellence member. Living Donor Circle of Excellence membership recognizes employers who have an organ donor leave policy in place for employees who choose to be a living organ donor. Learn more at AST Circle of Excellence website.
For More Information
Living Organ Donation
Most of the human organs that are available for transplantation—such as hearts, lungs and corneas—come from people who arrange for their organs to be donated upon death.
But two types of organs can actually be transplanted when the donor is alive: kidneys and livers.
See below for more information about each type of living organ donation.
Living Donor Kidney Transplant
Humans are born with two kidneys, but can live healthy, active lives with only one functioning kidney. That’s why living donor kidney transplantation is possible. When a living person donates a kidney to be transplanted into another person, both donor and recipient live their lives with one kidney.
Learn more about living donor kidney transplantation.
Living Donor Liver Transplant
Each of us has just one liver. But that liver — the body’s largest solid organ — is truly magnificent. It is the only organ capable of regeneration, or regrowth.
When a portion of a liver is removed to be transplanted, the body can replace the missing section, actually growing new, functioning liver in its place. The transplanted section of liver also grows into a fully functioning liver. This regeneration process, which scientists are still trying to fully understand, occurs over several weeks.
Living donor liver transplants are still rare, but at top transplant centers like Michigan Medicine, they are on the rise.
Learn more about living donor liver transplantation.
Am I a Transplant Candidate?
Learn more about what to consider and whom to contact to explore transplantation, either as a recipient or a donor.
About Donated Organs
Part of preparing for an organ transplant is learning as much as you can about the organ donation and transplantation process so you are ready when an organ becomes available.
Finding a Living Kidney Donor
Join the Finding a Living Kidney Donor online event this September to learn more and hear patient stories.
Facts & Myths on Living Kidney Donation
The Transplant Center hosts a virtual kidney transplant educational program on living donation. The program includes information on ways to help you or your loved one find a potential living kidney donor.
