Waiting for a Kidney
Waiting can be uncertain. Staying connected with your transplant program and keeping required care current can help you remain prepared for a possible organ offer.
What to focus on now
Open the topics that are most useful to you. You do not need to read everything at once.
Stay reachableKeep contact information current.
Make sure the transplant center has your correct phone numbers, backup contacts, address, and any instructions about how to reach you quickly.
Keep appointments and testing currentWaitlist care continues.
Your program may require periodic testing, visits, blood samples, or health updates. Ask what is due and how you will be reminded.
Know your statusListed does not always mean active.
Ask your program how to confirm your current waitlist status and what could temporarily change it. The transplant hospital—not a public website—can tell you your actual listing status.
Prepare for a possible callMake a simple practical plan.
Know who will drive you, who needs to be notified, what your center wants you to bring, and where your current medication list is kept. Follow the center’s instructions about eating or drinking when a call comes.
Understand waiting-time estimatesThe waitlist is not a simple line.
Blood type, sensitization, compatibility, organ availability, geography, allocation policy, active status, and center practices can affect offers. Historical estimates are useful context, not promises.
Questions you may want to bring to your team
- Am I active on the waitlist right now?
- What testing or appointments must I keep current?
- What is the best number to call if my health, insurance, phone number, or travel plans change?
- What should I do if I receive a call about a possible kidney?
Useful starting points
These links are for general education and planning. Review important decisions with your own team.