Living donation can happen as soon as a donor is found, approved and ready to donate. Getting a liver donation quickly is important for many people who are waiting for a liver transplant. Living with liver disease is very difficult and livers from a deceased donor are given to the sickest patients waiting. Almost 14,000 people are waiting. Getting a liver from a living donor allows patients to get a liver before having to become so ill. Other reasons why a living liver donation is better are:
The recipient will get transplanted sooner and won’t become sicker while they are waiting for a deceased donor liver.
Living liver transplants are scheduled which makes recovery easier.
The liver is a great match and from a person who has been tested to ensure they are very healthy.
Recipients of a living donor liver have better survival rates than those who receive deceased donor livers.