Liver Week – Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Learn more about Living-Donor Liver Transplantation,
our efforts, and how you can help!

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Did you know…

• Liver and kidney disease kill over 120,000 people each year, more than Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, or prostate cancer.
• Liver transplantation continues to be the second most common form of organ transplantation done in the United States.
• 25% of people on the waiting list for a new liver die waiting.

But there’s hope. The liver is an amazing organ with unique regeneration abilities; this regenerative quality allows skilled surgeons to perform a living-donor liver transplant. During a living-donor liver transplant, a portion of the liver from one person, the donor, is transplanted into another individual, the recipient, replacing their damaged liver. Within a few months of the surgery, the donor’s remaining liver regenerates, returning to normal volume and capacity. Meanwhile, the transplanted liver portion grows and restores normal liver function in the recipient.

However, people in need of a live liver donor are required to identify their own donor, presenting a huge challenge to patients and their families. The American Liver Foundation continues to develop resources and advocate for people considering living-donor liver transplant, either as a donor or recipient.