Cal Mitchell thought he was just going to get some results back on routine blood work that day in 2006. Instead, he learned that life had changed forever with a diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
Be an Organ and Tissue Donor
Transplantation
Transplants help thousands of people every year return to a healthier life, made possible by the generous gift of life of their donor.
Watch this video to learn more about how donation and transplantation works.
Getting on the National Organ Transplant Waiting List
Here are the necessary steps to get on the national waiting list, administered by OPTN/UNOS:
- Your physician must give you a referral.
- Contact a transplant hospital. Learn as much as possible about the 200+ transplant hospitals in the United States and choose one based on your needs, including insurance, location, finances, and support group availability.
- Schedule an appointment for an evaluation and find out if you are a good candidate for transplant.
- During the evaluation, ask questions to learn as much as possible about that hospital and its transplant team.
- If the hospital’s transplant team determines that you are a good transplant candidate, they will add you to the national waiting list.
Regional Organ Transplant Centers
Bernadette Artharee
I was 25 years old and 7 months pregnant with my son, Hasan, when I was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. I needed a kidney transplant to live.