About donation
Some healthy adults can safely donate one kidney or part of their liver — and return to their regular life. Living donors can choose their recipient, or donate anonymously.
Living organ donors can choose their recipient — or opt to donate anonymously.
Extensive testing ensures your safety comes first.
Kidney donation
You were born with two kidneys. Healthy adults can “share their spare” and live a regular life with the remaining kidney, which adapts over time.
Liver lobe donation
The liver is the only organ that can regenerate.
Potential living donors go through a thorough evaluation process designed to confirm you are surgically fit, that you're compatible with your intended recipient, and that you have no infections. Give Life Alberta Living Donor teams are committed to your health and safety throughout this process.
Initial contact & screening questions
Once a potential living donor contacts the program and answers the initial screening questions, your testing process can take weeks to months (with some exceptions for urgent cases). This can usually be at the pace you choose.
Assessment & matching
Testing includes blood work, diagnostic imaging and medical consults. You can use MyChart to book appointments and see your health records.
Eligibility & scheduling
Once all testing is complete and you’re confirmed to be eligible to donate, a surgery date and time is booked.
Previous living donors have reported feelings of fulfillment and relief after saving a loved one's, or even a stranger's, life.
For a recipient, the benefits of having a living donor (compared to a deceased donor) can include:
Featured video: Alberta woman marks 50 years with late sister's kidney
If someone wants to donate a kidney to their loved one but they are not a match, both can join the national Kidney Paired Donation Program. This can match them with other pairs across Canada who are in a similar situation, potentially swapping donors if they're compatible, and increasing the chances of a living donor transplant.
One anonymous living donor can also trigger a chain of multiple transplants under this program.
In Alberta, The Kidney Foundation of Canada offers the Living Organ Donor Expense Reimbursement Program (LODERP) to cover out-of-pocket expenses associated with living donation. Costs which could qualify for reimbursement include travel, accommodation, meals, parking and loss of income.
Some employers, including Alberta Health Services and Give Life Alberta, offer a wage replacement policy for living donors. Ask if there’s a similar policy in your workplace.
Some healthy people can safely donate tissues — placenta or bone — if they're having certain medical procedures at some Edmonton hospitals. These donations must be arranged in advance; potential donors require a blood test and the completion of a medical and social history questionnaire.
Placenta donation
Placenta can be donated following a scheduled caesarean section (C-section) delivery. The placenta's amniotic membrane has unique healing properties.
Surgeons use amniotic membrane for:
Bone donation
Bone can be donated following a hip replacement surgery.
Surgeons use donated bone for:
18-month-old Colby Crofts was placed on the wait list for a deceased donor, but when a family friend stepped forward and was found to be a match, everything changed.
A retired nurse who donated her kidney anonymously has received a gift herself; a surprising new friendship. It turns out she and her recipient have much more in common than a matching kidney.
Fifty years ago, Beverly Sharp-Samograd’s sister saved her life by giving her a kidney. That gift of an extra five decades is not only precious to Beverly – it’s remarkable in the transplant world.
The University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton supports living kidney and liver donation. The Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary supports living kidney donation.
Living organ donation
Call: 1-844-GLA-OTDT (1-844-452-6838)
Give Life Alberta Living Donor: info@givelifealberta.ca
Living tissue donation
Call 1-844-GLA-OTDT (1-844-452-6838) to speak with a Give Life Alberta Tissue Specialist.