RECIPIENT RESOURCES
GiftWorks has compiled a list of educational resources for recipients going through the organ transplant process.
Recipient Resources
- American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP): AAKP helps kidney patients, and their families manage the emotional and social impact of kidney disease.
- American Kidney Fund: This fund provides direct financial assistance to kidney patients in need and education for those with and at risk for kidney disease.
- Home Dialysis Central: Home Dialysis Central educates kidney patients about home dialysis.
- Kidney School: This interactive, web‐based learning program is designed to help people learn about kidney disease and its treatments, so they can take a more active role in their care.
- Life Options: This program of research, research‐based education, and outreach helps people live long and well with kidney disease.
- Living Kidney Donors Network: One of the best websites out there that teaches kidney patients and advocates how to find a living donor by telling their story.
- MedlinePlus: This is a trusted source that covers all aspects of organ donation and provides easy access to medical journal articles, extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and the latest health news.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Part of the National Institutes of Health, this organization is involved in kidney disease research and treatment options.
- National Kidney Foundation (NKF): This foundation has 50 affiliates dedicated to providing prevention programs, educational services, and materials for kidney patients, transplant recipients, and communities. NKF Affiliates: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
- Nephron Information Center: This site includes information and educational links about kidney disease.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation (PKD): PKD Foundation’s mission is to promote research to find a cure for PKD and improve the care and treatment of those it affects.
- The Renal Network 9/10: This network empowers optimal wellness for renal disease patients.
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR): The SRTR supports the ongoing evaluation of the scientific and clinical status of solid organ transplantation in the United States.
- Worldwide Kidney Disease Community: This online resource brings together people with kidney disease, in a worldwide community dedicated to improving patient quality of life.
- Kidneys for Communities: Organization focused on providing donors with the resources needed to safely donate within a community that is relevant to them.
Support
- Living Kidney Donors Network: This program helps overcome the primary obstacle voiced by many, the thought of having to “Ask” someone to donate.
- American Kidney Fund: This fund provides direct financial assistance to kidney patients in need and education for those with and at risk for kidney disease.
- Transplant Living: This is the United Network for Organ Sharing patient education site for all transplant patients.
- Organ Transplant Support: nonprofit organization for transplant recipients, those waiting for transplants, donors, and all their families.
Deceased Donation Resources
- National Organ and Tissue Donation Initiative: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is building a national community of organ sharing to ease the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors.
- United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS): Through the UNOS Organ Center, organ donors are matched to waiting recipients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Through its policies, UNOS ensures that all patients have a fair chance at receiving the organ they need—regardless of age, sex, race, lifestyle, religion, or financial or social status. UNOS members include every transplant program, organ procurement organization, and tissue typing laboratory in the United States.
- Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN): OPTN is a unique public‐private partnership that links all of the professionals involved in the donation and transplantation system. Its goals are to increase the supply of donated organs available for transplantation and the effectiveness and efficiency of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
