“Can i donate a kidney?” Common questions and simplified answers to the prospective kidney donor

For individuals with end stage kidney disease (ESKD), kidney transplantation is associated with reduced morbidity, mortality, and decreased health care costs. African Americans have higher rates of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) and reduced access to transplantation compared to their White counterparts. One way to improve access to transplantation is by increasing the number of living donors. Currently, African Americans with ESKD comprise 31% of the transplant waitlist and only 8% of the living kidney donors. Often individuals with ESKD are hesitant to inform loved ones about living donation out of concerns that their donors may feel pressured or may be harmed by donation. Even when patients discuss donation with loved ones, these potential donors may not seek information from their physicians. As an important first step, we provide general information about living donation to primary care physicians for their African Americans patients with ESKD and potential African American donors.