Donate now, help later
The kidney donor voucher program, explained
A kidney voucher lets you donate a kidney now, to a stranger who needs it today, and in return your loved one is prioritized for a living donor kidney when they need one later. It started in 2014 with a grandfather who wanted to give for a grandson who would not need a kidney for years.
How a standard voucher works
You want to donate for a specific person, but the timing does not line up. Maybe they are not ready for surgery yet, or your schedule is. With a standard voucher, you donate when it works for you. Your kidney goes to a matching stranger, and your person receives a voucher. When they are ready, the voucher gets them prioritized for a living donor kidney through the National Kidney Registry. It also means they get the best match available, not just your kidney.
How a family voucher works
You want to donate to a stranger, but you worry about your own family someday. With a family voucher, you donate to someone on the waiting list today and name up to five family members. If one of them ever needs a kidney, they are prioritized for a living donor kidney. Only one family voucher can be used.
Where you can do it
Vouchers are run by the National Kidney Registry through its participating member centers, and the number of centers has grown across the country. Ask any transplant center whether it takes part. Not every center does, and some centers use other paired donation programs instead.
How this relates to John
John Watkins is enrolled in paired donation through Ascension St. John in Tulsa, which works with the Alliance for Paired Kidney Donation. If you want to help John, the simplest step is to start the free screening with his center and say you are inquiring for John Watkins. If you live far away and want to help someone closer to home, ask your nearest transplant center about paired donation and vouchers. Every kidney donated moves the whole line forward.
Common questions
What is a kidney donor voucher?
A voucher lets a living donor give a kidney now and, in return, gives a loved one priority for a living donor kidney through the National Kidney Registry when they need it.
What is the family voucher program?
A donor gives a kidney to someone waiting and names up to five family members. If one of them ever needs a kidney, they are prioritized for a living donor kidney. Only one family voucher can be redeemed.
Does my loved one get my actual kidney with a voucher?
Usually not. Your kidney goes to a matching stranger, and your loved one receives the best available match from another living donor when they are ready.
Can any transplant center offer vouchers?
No. Vouchers are offered through National Kidney Registry member centers that take part in the program. Ask your center directly.
One man in Tulsa is waiting right now.
John Watkins is a dad, a husband and an assistant principal who needs a kidney. Anyone in the U.S. can start the free, private screening for him. You can stop at any step.
Start the screening for JohnKeep reading