Living Donor Champions: A Journey You Don't Make Alone
For someone in need of a liver or kidney transplant, every moment spent on the waiting list is critical. A living-donor transplant may be the life-saving solution to getting him or her off of the waiting list and back to being healthy.
However, asking someone to become a living donor is a challenge and can be an overwhelming task. With the help of a living donor Champion, finding a donor becomes more manageable.
The Role of a Living Donor Champion
A Champion may be a friend, family member, co-worker, or anyone else who is willing to provide emotional support for someone on the transplant waiting list. They can help by taking the lead in finding and securing a suitable living donor.
A Champion's role includes:
- Finding a live donor in a timely fashion
- Taking the responsibility of identifying a donor away from the person, allowing him or her to focus on their health
- Connecting and talking with as many people as possible so that an appropriate match can be found
- Offering support and inspiration through this difficult journey
UPMC Living Donor Champion Program Events
You and a family member or friend are invited to attend a free educational workshop to learn about the living donor transplant process, the benefits, and how to identify a potential donor.
If you have already attended a UPMC Living Donor Champion Workshop, please join our Champion Support Group on Facebook. To learn more about living donor transplant, follow us on Facebook today.
Liver Champion Workshop
Living Donor Resources and Fundraising Overview
Tuesday, June 21
View full workshop.
Benefits of Living Donation and the Donor Evaluation Process
Tuesday, March 15
View full workshop.
The Champion Checklist: Getting Started on Your Champion Journey
Tuesday, August 31
View full workshop.
Working With The Living Donor Ambassador
Tuesday, November 16
View full workshop.
Kidney Champion Workshop
What to Expect on Surgery Day and Resources Available to Find a Living Donor
Thursday, October 20
Fundraising Overview and Champion Resources
Thursday, April 28
View full workshop.
Overview of Living Donation and Champion Resources
This workshop is specific to UPMC Hamot patients and their families
Friday, April 15
View full workshop.
Sharing Your Story and the Champion Perspective
Wednesday, May 19
View full workshop.
Living-Donor Kidney Transplant in the COVID-19 Era
Friday, December 10
View full workshop.
Living Donor Champion Resources
Get to know more about our program by downloading the Living Donor Champion Toolkit (PDF).
The first step to finding a living donor is sharing your story. Get started with our Sharing Your Story Worksheet (PDF).
Champion Program on Access Health
Watch Access Health's feature on UPMC's Living Donor Champion Program.
Your Transplant Support System: Living Donor Champions
A living donor champion may be a friend, family member, co-worker, or anyone else willing to take the lead in helping you find a living organ donor.
Read the article on our HealthBeat blog.Meet Living Donor Champions
Read about Living Donor Champions who have used social media to find living donors for their loved ones.
