There are risks with all major surgeries. The risk level to a living donor and the recipient differs among various transplant centers. Before you and your potential donor consider this option, ask the transplant center for their statistics. Generally, transplant centers with more experience tend to have better outcomes.
There aren’t many living donor liver transplants performed annually. Of the approximately 14,000 people on waiting list for a liver transplant, nearly 8000 will receive a liver; more than 350 of those transplants were from living donors.
There are more than 114,000 people on transplant waiting lists in the United States; 20 people die every day waiting for a transplant. April is National Donate Month and an opportunity to increase awareness.
