As a 17 year old, can I donate a kidney to my cousin?!
Question: As a 17 year old, can I donate a kidney to my cousin?
My question is, if his kidneys were to quit functioning, would I be eligible to be a donor? I turn 18 on June 2nd, which is a little less than 2 months. I also graduate high school in mid-May. Would I be able to donate one sooner, or would I have to wait? I also smoke, and I read that you have to quit smoking for a month before you can donate (I would do that and need to quit anyway). I can't really find a lot of information about his through search engines, so I would really appreciate opinions and comments.
Answers:
I'm sorry to hear of your cousin's accident. It is way too soon to even think about a transplant. They put him on to dialysis to rest his bruised and traumatised kidneys and it will be a long time before transplant is considered.
You have to be 18 a reasonable match, free of disease and preferably a non smoker.
Let your cousin begin to heal before even mentioning such a dramatic procedure. I wish your family lots of luck.
I don't know where you live but here in the UK you have to be 18 to donate blood or organs
You also have to be a non-smoker (recipients choice) with no history of STD's