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Programs & Services

Renal Transplant Program

Deceased Donor List

Background Information

There are two ways of getting a kidney transplant: by living donation and by the deceased donor list.

Requirements for both include:

  • Referral for consideration of renal transplant requires consult from referral centre
  • Evaluation of health status
  • Laboratory investigations, cardiac evaluation
  • Social work and nursing evaluation
  • Assessment by transplant physician
  • For deceased donation, once evaluation is complete, patients are placed on a waiting list and back dated to their dialysis start date

The waiting times are long and vary by blood group. On average the waiting time is six to 11 years (view graph).

While on the list, blood will be taken four times per year from the dialysis center to test whether or not antibodies exist against a panel of potential kidney donors.

In addition, while on the waiting list you will be required to have annual evaluations of your health status.

As you approach the top of the list, you will come back to the transplant clinic at St. Michaels for a complete re-evaluation

“Being on hold” means that your health status does not allow you to get a kidney at this point in time however, you do not lose your place on the list and when the health condition improves you will be placed back on the active list.


Expanded Donor List

Given the long waiting times for deceased donor kidney, we have developed a parallel list for patients who are willing to accept a kidney from an older deceased donor or from a donor whose kidney function is less than ideal.

The parallel list may allow you to get a kidney faster than the regular waiting list however, the quality of the kidney is generally not as good as from a healthier, younger donor.

This option should be considered by older recipients who may face long waiting times and whose health may deteriorate during that period making transplantation more attainable.

Please contact us if you are interested and are considering this option.

Downloadable Forms

Transplant Info and Consent Form (94 KB pdf file)
Expanded Criteria Donor Consent Form (67 KB pdf file)