- Myth: I need 2 kidneys to live a normal life.
- Fact: 1 in 1000 people are born with one kidney and their life expectancy is the same as someone who is born with 2 kidneys.
- Myth: You have 2 kidneys because one is a spare.
- Fact: Most kidney diseases affect both kidneys which leads to kidney failure.
- Myth: You cannot be accepted as a living donor if you are older than 65.
- Fact: It’s not someone’s age… It’s their health. Many people have donated in their 70’s or even in their 80’s.
- Myth: If you smoke marijuana you are not allowed to be a kidney donor.
- Fact: If that were true, people in California and other states wouldn’t be able to donate. Marijuana smokers can be a living donor.
- Myth: Most transplants are from Living Donors.
- Fact: There are almost 2.5 times more deceased donor transplants each year than living donor transplants due to fear and uncertainty from to a lack of education on the safety of donating a kidney and not knowing that a living donor normally lives a full and healthy lifestyle after becoming a living donor.
- Myth: Matching someone to donate is a 1 in a million chance. That’s why a blood relative is needed and preferred to be a donor.
- Fact: A blood relative is NOT needed; the anti-rejection drugs that a RECIPIENT takes is one of the primary reasons a family (blood) donor isn’t needed and the “matching” criteria has become much easier.
- Myth: A kidney donor will have to take anti-rejection drugs the rest of their life.
- Fact: It’s the recipient that takes the anti-rejection drugs….NEVER the donor.
- Myth: Kidney donors need to limit their physical activities.
- Fact: Most kidney donors can return to their physical activities in 4-6 weeks following the transplant and need to follow their doctor’s instructions.
- Myth: Kidney donors have to adhere to a new diet after they donate.
- Fact: Kidney donors do not have any dietary restrictions.
- Myth: A kidney donor can no longer consume alcohol following donation.
- Fact: A kidney donor can consume alcohol in moderation.
- Myth: A female donor should not get pregnant after kidney donation.
- Fact: Women can have children after being a kidney donor.
