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The Soham & Shaila Ajmera Family Transplant Centre, in agreement with our partners at Trillium Gift of Life Network and our peer organizations, has made the difficult decision to pause some of the work done by UHN's transplant programs. This is to ensure we have the resources to care for our most critically ill patients, within our program and across our hospital and the health care system.

Please note the following changes in service. We know this pause will be difficult for our patients and their families who will be impacted. We will be reviewing these changes daily and working to reduce any impact on the health of patients within our program.

Kidney Transplant and Pancreas Transplant

  • All living kidney donor activities have been paused.
  • All deceased donor kidney transplant and pancreas transplant activities have been paused, except for highly sensitized or quickly deteriorating patients.

Lung Transplant

  • All lung transplant activities have been paused, except for quickly deteriorating patients.

Heart Transplant

  • All heart transplant activities will continue as usual.

Liver Transplant

  • Living liver donor activities will continue, but the most ill patients will be prioritized.
  • All living liver donors will be screened for COVID-19 before surgery.
  • Deceased donor liver transplant activities will continue as usual.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your Transplant Coordinator for information and support.

family

What We Do

​​​​​​At the Living Donor Program, we achieve excellent res​ults for our recipients and donors. Our living kidney and living liver donor programs care for people who would like to donate a kidney or a piece of their liver to a person with end stage kidney or liver disease.

Our programs

  • Assess and test donors to see if they can donate;
  • Educate donors about the transplant process;​ and
  • Provide exceptional patient care at all stages of the transplant journey​.

Located at the Toronto General Hospital, Munk Building 12th Floor, our compassionate team of experts are world leaders in innovation, research and, most importantly, patient care. Learn more about the liver transplant​ and kidney t​ransplant​ teams​ who will be with you throughout your journey.

About Donation

What is a living donation​?​

A 'living donation' happens when a person who is alive gives either a kidney or a part of their liver to someone with end-stage kidney or liver disease.

Who can be a living donor?​

A living kidney or liver donor could be a spouse, family member, friend, co-worker or stranger.

Donors must be

  • older than 16 years of age;
  • a healthy weight for their height;
  • in good health without diabetes, cancer, kidney or heart disease; and
  • willing to freely donate.​​​

 

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How do I become a living kidney or liver donor?

  1. Complete a Living​ Donor Health History Form​
  2. Submit the completed form in person, by email, mail or fax. All contact information is on the form.
  3. Our Living Kidney or Liver Donor Assessment Office will call you once we have reviewed your healt​h history form.

If you wish to become a living liver donor please attach a copy of your blood type with your donor health history form, either through a letter from your family doctor or a blood donor card.

kidney icon Living Kidney Donor Program

If you are interested in becoming a living donor, our assessment office will guide you through the process. It starts with a simple conversation with one of our transplant team members. They can be reached at 416 340 5400.

liver icon Living Liver Donor Program​

If you are interested in becoming a living donor, our assessment office will guide you through the process. It starts with a simple conversation with one of our transplant team members. They can be reached at ​416 340 5400.

How do I ask someone to become a donor on my behalf?

If you are interested in finding a living kidney or liver donor, we can help guide you through the process. It starts with a simple conversation.

The Centre for Living Organ Donation at UHN
416 340 5400
livingorgandonation@uhn.ca

Social Media and You

Waiting for a transplant? Read our guidelines before seeking out a living donor.

Need a Transplant?

The UHN Transplant Program treats patients from across Canada and around the world. Our liver and kidney transplant clinics welcome new patient referrals.​​

 
 

Advantages of a Living Kidney Donor Transplant

 
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Resource Library

For a comprehensive list of helpful materials that will guide you through your donor journey as well as media stories and videos on living organ donation, visit our Resource Library​.​​

Upcoming Events

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Living Donation Q & A Sessions for Patients Eligible for Kidney Transplant (Families and Support Persons welcome)
Date: Bi-weekly, Thursdays
Location: Toronto General Hospital
Registration: If you would like to receive invitation, please email livingorgandonation@uhn.ca.

Living Donation Information Sessions for Patients Approved for Liver Transplant (Families and Support Persons welcome)
Date: Weekly, Wednesdays
Location: Toronto General Hospital
Registration: If you would like to receive invitation, please email livingorgandonation@uhn.ca.

Living Donor Webinars
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Topics:

  • 1st Tuesday of the month: PRELOD Information Session for living donors and living donor candidates
  • 2nd Tuesday of the month: Living Donor Champion Session for those who would like to support person in need of a liver or kidney
  • 3rd Tuesday of the month: Living Kidney Donor Session for those considering living kidney donation
  • 4th Tuesday of the month: Living Liver Donor Session for those considering living liver donation

All sessions are free. To register, please visit the Centre for Living Organ Donation Eventbrite page and select a date to reserve your spot and receive login instructions.

If you have questions or would like more information please email livingorgandonation@uhn.ca.

Lunch & Learn: Health Equity, Living Donation & Transplantation
Date: Friday, January 31, 2020
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Location: Toronto General Hospital and Facebook Live
Registration: Free. For more information or to register, visit the Lunch & Learn: Health Equity, Living Donation & Transplantation Eventbrite page.

Archived Events

For all of our archived patient education events ​​related to living organ donation, visit our Archived Events section​​.​


 

Why Living Donation Matters: Our Success S​​tories

Our patients talk about their experiences and the​ impact of live donation.

Hina Khan and Kelly Bryan with Muhammad Khan‘I have the utmost admiration for living donors’
Read the story​ »
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Andrea Northgate with her 2 kids‘I decided to turn something bad into something good’
Read the story​ »
 

Facts vs. Myths about Organ Donation - Myth #2"

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See all our stories​​ »

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Give Us Your Input

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Needs Assessment for the UHN Centre for Living Organ Donation

The UHN Centre for Living Organ Donation has one goal: to improve access to safe and appropriate living organ donation for donors and recipients. Please take a few moments to tell us what information or supports would be helpful to you.

This is an anonymous survey. The information you provide will be used for planning purposes. If you wish to speak with one of our team members or join our mailing list, please email livingorgandonation@uhn.ca.

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