Reply #51

I strongly feel that the consequences of kidney donation are underemphasized in our society. It's not like donating blood, or even like donating bone marrow. There's a reason we have two kidneys.

I've recently had reason to research the issue of functioning with one kidney, and there are risks. This article from the Chicago Tribune discusses the other side of the story:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-31/health/ct-met-living-donor-risks-20110731_1_living-kidney-donors-united-network-transplantation-network

Now, chances are any particular donor will do fine for many years. But a person needs to go into the process with the understanding that they are not merely donating an organ and some temporary pain and inconvenience. They may be donating the last years of their life and/or their health at a later date.