The Transplant Center at Cleveland Clinic in Florida is among a select few centers nationwide with expertise in living donor kidney and liver transplants. We’re one of a select few centers in Florida with the expertise to perform living donor liver transplants.

Types of Living Donor Transplant Programs at Cleveland Clinic in Florida

Living organ donors may donate one kidney or part of their liver. Organs from living donors tend to be healthier. As a result, they function better and for longer than organs from deceased donors.

Donating an organ is a major surgery and decision. Organ donors can have confidence in coming to us. Our Florida program builds on the world-renowned expertise of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio Transplant Center. Combined, our surgeons have performed thousands of organ donation surgeries. The exceptional care we provide helps donors continue to lead full, active lives after organ donation.

Our Transplant Center offers:

Living kidney donor transplants

Our kidney transplant program offers living donor kidney transplants. With the aid of a living donor, patients can get a transplant before they have complete kidney failure and need dialysis. We specialize in these types of preemptive kidney transplants.

Learn more about living kidney donors.

Living liver donor transplants

Surgeons at our liver transplant program have deep expertise in living liver donor transplants. About 1 in 5 of our patients get a liver segment from a living donor. The remaining part of the donor’s liver grows back to its original size in a few months. The transplanted liver segment also grows to fit the recipient’s body.

Learn more about living liver donors.

Who Can Be a Living Organ Donor?

A person must be at least 18 years old and in good physical and mental health to donate a kidney or liver. All potential donors receive guidance from an independent donor advocate. An advocate’s top priority is the well-being of the donor — not the patient who needs a transplant. A transplant nurse coordinator guides transplant recipients through the process.

Advocates make sure potential donors understand the organ donation process, including risks. This specialist also guides the potential donor through the evaluation and surgery.

Health screenings for living donors

All potential donors get extensive screenings to ensure they’re physically and mentally fit for major surgery. These tests may take place at one of our many locations at Cleveland Clinic in Florida or a hospital closer to the donor. To ensure fast transplantation, surgical removal of the donated organ must take place at our Transplant Center.

Screenings for potential living donors include:

  • Imaging tests, such as chest X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs or CT scans.
  • Physical examinations, including blood and urine tests, heart tests (EKGs) and screenings for cancer and infectious diseases.
  • Psychosocial assessments to ensure organ donation is voluntary and assess the type of support available after surgery.

Exclusions for donating an organ

A potential donor may not be able to donate an organ if they’re older than 60. These conditions may also affect the ability to donate:

  • Cancer.
  • Diabetes.
  • Infectious diseases.
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
  • Unmanaged mental health disorders.

Organ Donation Options for Living Donors

We offer several ways for a living organ donor to help someone in need.

  • Directed donation: The living donor chooses who gets their donated organ.
  • Paired exchanges or swaps: If a living donor and patient aren’t a good match, the donor may give their organ to someone who’s more compatible. The organ recipient’s family member or friend then donates an organ to the first patient in need. Multiple living donors and patients from across the country may participate in paired exchanges or organ swaps. This approach helps more patients get the organs they need.
  • Altruistic donations: While uncommon, some kindhearted people volunteer to donate an organ to someone they’ve never met. A living organ donation from a stranger is also called a nondirected or good Samaritan donation.
  • Transplants for international patients: We offer living donor transplant services for patients from other countries and nearby islands. Learn more about our global patient services.

Become an Organ Donor

To learn more about donating an organ to someone in need: