How to Be a Liver Donor

A liver donor can give a child with serious liver disease the chance to have a healthier future. Learning about the donation process can help you decide if becoming a liver donor is right for you. Whether you choose living liver donation or register as a deceased organ donor, your generosity could help save a life.

How does liver donation work?

A liver transplant replaces a child’s diseased liver with all or part of a healthy donor liver. The healthy liver may come from a deceased or living donor. Both options offer a child the healthy liver tissue they need to grow and thrive.

Deceased liver donation

A deceased liver donation happens after a person dies. One of the following must be true before their liver donation can proceed:

• They registered as an organ donor through the National Donate Life Registry.
• Their next of kin or legal representative authorized organ donation.

Surgeons may transplant the donor’s entire liver (whole-liver transplant) or split it into two sections (split-liver transplant). Surgeons often use split-liver transplants for children because they can take a liver section that best fits the child’s size. In this type of transplant, another child or adult receives the second part of the deceased donor’s liver.

Visit Donate Life America to learn more about how to register to be a deceased donor.

Living liver donation

Living liver donation allows a healthy adult to donate part of their liver to a child who needs a transplant. Surgeons remove only the portion of the adult’s liver needed to match the child’s liver size. A living-donor liver transplant can help a child get a transplant faster because they don’t have to wait on the transplant list for a deceased donor.

Learn more about pediatric living-donor transplants at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

What to expect with living-donor liver donation

A living-donor liver donation is a powerful gift that can help a child receive a lifesaving transplant sooner. We partner with UCHealth for living liver donation. Donor evaluations, surgery and follow-up care take place at University of Colorado Hospital. Children receive their transplant surgery at Children’s Colorado.

Who can become a living liver donor?

Most healthy adults can donate a portion of their liver, and we welcome donations from anyone who qualifies. Our most common donors are parents, adult siblings or friends of the child’s family.

Typically, you must meet these liver donation requirements:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 57
• Be willing to donate voluntarily
• Have excellent overall physical and mental health
• Understand the risks and benefits so you can make an informed decision

How do I get tested to become a living liver donor?

There are many steps in the living-donor liver donation process, and every donor’s experience is unique. Our partners at the University of Colorado Hospital complete a thorough evaluation to make sure living donation is safe for you. 

First, you’ll have an initial screening, which includes:

• Health screening questionnaire
• Prescreening tests, such as blood and urine testing

If you qualify after the initial screening, the living donor team will schedule you for a one- to two-day evaluation. During your evaluation, you may:

• Meet with a physician, transplant surgeon, nurse coordinator and social worker
• Meet with other specialists, such as a dietitian or pharmacist, if needed
• Work with an independent living donor advocate who supports your interests throughout the process
• Complete additional testing to confirm that living donation is a safe option for you

What happens during the living-donor liver transplant surgery?

Transplant surgeons at the University of Colorado Hospital will perform your surgery, which usually takes about four to eight hours. Here’s what you can expect to happen:

• Before surgery, your transplant team uses advanced imaging to carefully examine your liver. Your surgeons choose a portion of your liver that is safest to remove. They also make sure it’s the right size for the child who will receive the transplant.
• The surgery is laparoscopic, using smaller incisions to help you recover faster with less scarring.
• Surgeons remove the selected portion of your healthy liver, carefully disconnecting it from the blood vessels and bile ducts.
• The transplant team packages the donated portion of your liver and quickly transports it to nearby Children’s Colorado for the child’s surgery.

Recovery after living-donor liver donation

Your transplant team monitors your recovery and lets you know when it’s safe to return to work, exercise and other daily activities. Each person’s recovery looks a little different, but most donors can expect to:

• Stay in the hospital for about two to six days after surgery
• Increase activity level in four to six weeks
• Return to normal activities within 10 to 12 weeks

You’ll also have follow-up appointments and testing at six months, one year and two years after donation.

Become a living liver donor

Are you ready to take the next step? Complete the confidential online questionnaire to begin the evaluation process.

To learn more about our pediatric liver transplant program, please contact our liver transplant team at 720-777-2335.

Frequently asked questions about living liver donation

Is liver donation safe? 

Just like any surgery, a living liver donation comes with some risks. Possible complications or side effects can include:

• Allergic reaction to anesthesia
• Bleeding
• Bile leaks
• Blood clots
• Hernia
• Infection
• Intestinal problems

The University of Colorado Hospital’s transplant team has extensive experience in helping people prepare for and reduce complications and side effects. Serious complications are uncommon, and your transplant team will help you understand all potential risks before you donate.

Is liver donation painful?

You can expect some pain and soreness after surgery. Your care team uses medications and other treatments to help keep you comfortable.

Will my liver grow back after donation?

Yes, your liver should grow back to its normal size after the transplant because of its unique ability to regenerate.

Who pays for living liver donation?

The recipient’s insurance usually covers the donor’s evaluation, surgery and transplant-related care. However, you may still have costs for travel, lodging or lost wages. Your transplant team will explain resources that may be available to help cover these expenses.