Kidney Transplant

The Johns Hopkins Kidney Transplant Program provides comprehensive kidney treatment for all patients. Our research has led to breakthrough innovations for those suffering with renal failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kidney Programs

Explore some of our advanced kidney transplant programs, providing patients with more options for care.

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Patient Resources Kidney Recipient Intake Form

Fill out this intake form if you are a candidate for a kidney transplant.

Kidney Transplant | Antara's Story

Years after cancer treatment and a combined heart/lung transplant, Antara Desai's kidneys began to fail. In need of a kidney transplant, Antara turned to Johns Hopkins, where a multidisciplinary team of experts developed a treatment plan with her complex medical history in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the kidney donation process and what to expect. If you can’t find your question, please contact us.

Why would I need a kidney transplant?

• Diabetes
  • adult onset, or type 2
  • juvenile diabetes, or type 1
  • Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
  • Vesicoureteral reflux
  • Posterior urethral valves
  • Prune belly syndrome
  • Megaureter

  Am I eligible for a kidney transplant?

  

  You must go through several medical tests before eligibility is determined. You will meet with a team of physicians, surgeons and specialists. The evaluation time takes approximately one to two months.
  You will need to go through a referral process. Read the frequently asked questions about kidney transplant referrals.

  I need a kidney transplant. Do I need a pancreas transplant too?

  

  Sometimes, a patient may need a kidney/pancreas transplant. While a patient who requires a pancreas transplant will most likely need a kidney transplant, a patient who needs a kidney transplant may not necessarily require a .

  Can I have a living donor? My family wants to help.

  • Traditional Donation:
    • Traditional kidney transplants occur when a patient receives a kidney from a deceased donor. This organ is referred to as a cadaveric kidney.
    • When a patient has a family member or friend who is willing to donate a kidney, this is called a living donor transplant.
    • More than one-third of willing donors are turned down because their blood types are not compatible with the person to whom they wish to donate their kidney. The Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center developed methods to make a donated kidney more compatible. Our Incompatible Kidney Transplant Program (InKTP), founded in 1998, is a world leader in this kind of transplant, and has shown dramatic outcomes.
    • At Johns Hopkins, we also participate in kidney swaps and exchanges, where donor/recipient pairs will trade organs. For example, if Donor A was unable to donate to Recipient A, he could donate to Recipient B. Recipient B’s donor would then donate to Patient A. This is a very effective way of managing incompatible donors and recipients.
    • The Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center encourages people to consider becoming a non-directed kidney donor. These donors do not know the recipient, and are donating to improve the health of an unknown individual. Non-directed donations can set off a domino of kidney donations, which can have an effect on many people. One of the largest kidney exchanges that was started by a non-directed donor resulted in fourteen transplantations.