Becoming a live donor | va iowa city health care | veterans affairs

Everyday U.S Veterans, who once risked everything for our freedom, wait in silence for a different kind of hero to step up for them. Moving their battles from the fields to dialysis centers,

thousands of Veterans suffer from kidney disease. Veterans have a higher risk of kidney disease due to service-related injuries, and exposure to toxins. Your decision to become an organ

donor can save up to eight lives and enhance more through tissue donation. These donations can be done after death or as a living donor. The average wait time for the nearly 2,000 Veterans

waiting for a kidney from a deceased donor is six to eight years. However, live donors can speed up that wait time significantly. Due to new national methods of kidney allocation or sharing

there has been a drastic reduction in deceased kidneys that remain in Iowa for transplant. Though Veterans are being offered kidneys from outside of Iowa, the risk of receiving a kidney of

lower quality increases. Live donations is a strong option to reduce risks and ensure that we are providing the best healthcare to our Veterans. Live kidney donations have been proven to be

more beneficial to Veterans than deceased donations. Statistically living donor transplants have a higher rate of positive outcomes, fewer complications during and after the transplant

surgery, a longer survival time of the donor organ, as well as decreasing the wait time for recipients. In addition, live donated kidneys start functioning in the Veteran’s body almost

immediately, resulting in a quicker recovery time. “I feel like live donation is a small sacrifice that has such a life-changing impact,” said Kristin Wolf, Iowa City VA employee and live

donor.  “It is one of the most profound acts of compassion and selflessness. By registering as an organ donor on your driver's license, you may be able to help 75 people through organ

and tissue donation.  You are leaving behind the gift of life.  Veterans made the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country. Organ donation provides them with the quality of life they

deserve.” To learn more about Kristen's story of organ donation click here.  Consider becoming a living donor. You can donate to a loved one or even to someone you don’t know. Being a

donor leaves a lasting impact of kindness and generosity. The Iowa City VA Hospital welcomes live donors who want to give back to our Veterans and save lives. For more information on how to

donate please contact our Living Donor Coordinator at 319-339-7092.