Episode 162: How Do You Ask Someone to Donate a Kidney? A Guide to Living Kidney Donation Conversations
Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast | Kidney Health PodcastShow Notes
How do you ask someone to donate a kidney?
For many people living with kidney failure, this can be one of the most difficult and emotional conversations they will ever face. Fear of rejection, concerns about damaging relationships, feelings of guilt and uncertainty about where to begin can prevent people from exploring living kidney donation as an option.
In this episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, host Dee Moore is joined by Jen Lumsdaine, Lead Nurse for Living Donation.
Jen previously worked as a Living Donor Transplant Coordinator in Edinburgh, completed a PhD examining the quality-of-life impact of living kidney donation for donors and recipients, and has worked to improve equitable access to living donor transplantation across Scotland.
Together they discuss:
💚 How to prepare emotionally before talking about living kidney donation 💚 Whether you should ask directly or raise awareness more generally 💚 How to keep the conversation open without putting pressure on others 💚 What to do if someone says no 💚 How to protect important relationships during the transplant journey 💚 Common misconceptions about living kidney donation 💚 Why every potential donor undergoes an independent assessment process 💚 The support available for donors and recipients 💚 Where to find trusted information and resources
Whether you’re waiting for a kidney transplant, supporting a loved one, considering becoming a living donor or simply want to learn more, this episode offers compassionate, practical guidance from one of the UK’s leading experts in living donation.
A special thank you to Jen and NHS Blood and Transplant for helping to make this episode possible.
🎧 Listen now and share with someone who may benefit from this important conversation.
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Become a living donor - NHS Organ Donation
https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/become-a-living-donor/
Kidney Care UK
💻 Website: www.kidneycarekuk.org 📧 [email protected] 📞Tel: 01420 541 424 📘Facebook: www.facebook.com/kidneycareuk.org 📷Instagram: @kidneycareuk 🔵Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/kidneycareuk.bsky.social 📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqQTdAsEzXphqjHVtcTD-A
📩 To sign up to receive the Kidney Matters Quarterly Magazine Email: [email protected]
Kidney Care UK's Kidney Kitchen
Kidney Kitchen recipes are very carefully analysed and approved by the British Dietetic Association Renal Nutrition Specialist Group (RNG).
https://www.kidneycareuk.org/about-kidney-health/living-kidney-disease/kidney-kitchen/
For more information about GOLD (Gift of Living Donation)
Website: www.giftoflivingdonation.co.uk Instagram: @giftoflivingdonation Twitter: @delaidowu Email: [email protected]
Robert Dangoor Partnership | Give a Kidney | Kidney Donation | Live Kidney Donor
https://www.giveakidney.org/considering-donation/how-do-i-donate/robert-dangoor-partnership/
Donate A Kidney | Kidney Donation UK | Make Your Mark https://www.donateakidney.co.uk/
Disclaimer:
The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor, consultant, or qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs and before making any medical decisions. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the Diary of a Kidney Warrior
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What does it really mean to become a living kidney donor — and what would inspire someone to donate a kidney to a complete stranger?