Overview
What we do
A transplant from a living liver donor is the best option for people who need a liver transplant. At the UW Health Transplant Center, we honor living liver donors for their ultimate act of giving. Anyone older than age 18 who is in good physical and emotional health can apply to be a living donor.
As a living liver donor, you will save a life and reduce the number of people on the deceased donor waitlist.
Living liver donation happens when you give part of your liver to someone who has a liver that is not working. During the surgery, a portion of your liver is removed and placed into the body of the recipient whose own liver was removed. Both your liver and the recipient's liver will grow to the correct size within three months. You and the recipient can live well during this time, and soon both you and the recipient will be able to return to your regular lives.
About
Learn about living liver donation
Living liver donation is an opportunity for you to greatly improve someone’s life. To the recipient, you will always be a hero.
Meet our team
Highly skilled experts
Our team honors living donors and recognizes their generous gift. We are compassionate to your needs and want to support your decision. We are committed to your health and will work to provide customized care.
Your living liver donation team includes experts in hepatology (liver medicine), living donation and liver transplantation. Our certified transplant nurse coordinators, social workers, financial counselors and living donor advocate also provide ongoing support.
As part of an academic medical center, we are constantly researching and improving every aspect of living liver donation and transplantation. We provide thorough education to you and your support team. We are dedicated to giving you the best living liver donation experience.
Locations
Top-ranked care close to you
We offer living liver donation services and surgery at University Hospital in Madison.
Patient stories
Inspiring living donor stories
Our patients share their living liver donation stories.
Patient and support services
Resources for living liver donors
We offer many helpful resources for before and after your living liver donation surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Learning opportunities
Stay connected and promote donation
Share your story
Use social media on the many channels where UW Health is active
Become a mentor. Living donors are paired with people who are considering live donation to share their experiences and help others during their decision-making process.
Join our Patient and Family Advisory Council to improve the patient experience by sharing feedback with our transplant professionals.