Living Liver Donor
For patients with liver disease, time is critical. Many people wait months or years for a transplant, and some never get the chance.
At the University Health Transplant Institute, we lead the way in living liver donation and help more patients receive transplants sooner, often before their condition worsens.
That’s part of why we’re recognized as the No. 1 liver transplant program in the nation by INTERLINK. University Health is home to one of the largest living liver donor programs in the United States.
What Is a Living Liver Donation?
Living liver donation is when a healthy person donates a portion of their liver to someone in need of a transplant. Because the liver has the unique ability to regenerate, both the donor’s and recipient’s liver can grow and function normally after surgery.
An adult can also donate a portion of their liver to a child, offering a life-saving option for a pediatric patient.
Types of Living Liver Donations
You don’t have to be related to make a life-saving impact.
- Direct donation: Donate to a specific person
- Paired donation: Help your intended recipient by matching with another donor/recipient pair
- Non-directed donation: Donate to someone you don’t know
These options allow more people to receive the transplant they need.
Become a Living Donor
Start the living donor process by completing a donor health history questionnaire.
FAQs About Living Liver Donations
What are the risks of being a living liver donor?
While all surgeries carry some risk, your safety and well-being come first. We carefully evaluate every donor and provide clear, personalized guidance so you feel informed and confident about the process, recovery and your long-term health.
Does insurance pay for living liver donors?
Because every plan is different, we recommend checking with your insurance provider to understand your coverage better. Our transplant team can help guide you through the process and answer any questions about coverage.
There are also resources that provide financial support to living donors, such as the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC).
These programs are designed to reduce financial barriers so more people can consider living donation without added financial stress.
Who can be a living liver donor?
Many healthy adults are eligible for living liver donation.
You may qualify if you:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 55
- Are in good physical and mental health
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Have a stable support system
Who cannot be a living liver donor?
Not everyone is eligible. You may not be able to donate if you have:
- Certain chronic medical conditions
- Active infections or cancer
- Health factors that increase surgical risk
What is the recovery time for a liver donor?
Recovery varies, but most donors return to normal activities within several weeks and continue to make a full recovery.
Looking for a Living Donor?
You don't have to wait on a single list. Refer yourself for a living liver transplant.
Why You Should Consider Living Liver Donation
The need for liver transplants continues to grow, and becoming a living liver donor helps bridge that gap. Your donation:
- Shortens wait times for patients in need
- Helps patients avoid worsening liver failure
- Improves transplant success and long-term outcomes
- Gives someone a second chance at life
For children in need of a transplant, a living donor may be their best — and sometimes only — chance to receive care in time.
How to Become a Living Liver Donor
Your journey starts with a simple first step and a team that prioritizes your safety.
You will:
- Complete a confidential donor questionnaire
- Participate in a screening call
- Undergo medical and psychosocial evaluation
- Make an informed, voluntary decision
Why Choose University Health?
When considering living liver donation, experience matters.
At University Health Transplant Institute, you’ll find one of the most advanced and experienced programs in the country. At University Health, we:
- Pioneered the first liver paired donation in the United States
- Have performed more than 450 living donor liver transplants
- Are the second largest living liver donation program in the U.S.
- Meet or exceed national benchmarks for patient outcomes (Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data)
You’ll be supported by a nationally recognized team focused on safety, innovation and exceptional patient outcomes.
Our Advanced, Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach
We use advanced technology to make living liver donation as safe and minimally invasive as possible.
Our surgical team uses the da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System to perform living organ donor procedures. This allows surgeons to operate through small incisions with enhanced precision and a high-definition 3D view of the surgical area.
For donors, this approach may offer:
- Shorter recovery times
- Less post-operative pain
- Minimal complications
- Faster return to normal activities
As the only transplant center in South Texas offering this advanced robotic technology for living liver donations, we can provide a more precise, patient-centered surgical experience.
University Health’s da Vinci ® Robotic Surgical System was funded by University Health Foundation and its generous donors.
Your Living Donor Coordinator
You won’t go through this process alone.
Your dedicated living donor coordinator will guide you every step of the way, answering questions, coordinating care and ensuring you feel informed and supported.
Individualized Donor Support
You’ll have access to:
- One-on-one conversations with previous donors
- Transplant social workers
- Your surgical care team
You can choose to stop the process at any time, and your privacy is always protected.
Take the First Step
At University Health, we’re here to help you explore your options, understand the process and decide if donation is right for you.
Hear directly from a family whose child’s life was transformed through living liver donation.
