Colorado transplant program offers new hope through kidney voucher system

AdventHealth Transplant Institute at Porter in Denver is using the National Kidney Registry's voucher program so living donors can donate now and give their intended recipients priority access to a compatible kidney later.

AdventHealth Transplant Institute at Porter in Denver is participating in the National Kidney Registry's voucher program. The program lets living donors give a kidney now while their intended recipient receives a voucher for priority access to a compatible kidney through the registry later. That arrangement allows donors to act at a time that works for them and does not require a direct biological match. Local families have used the approach to coordinate donation timing and access. How the voucher program works: - AdventHealth Transplant Institute at Porter in Denver is part of the National Kidney Registry voucher program. - A living donor can donate a kidney to someone in the registry pool and the intended recipient receives a voucher guaranteeing priority access to a compatible kidney when needed. - Donors do not need to be a direct match to benefit their family member. - The article highlights a local example: Sherry donated to the registry and her husband Dannie later used a voucher to receive a transplant and stop dialysis. - Two voucher types are described: a short-term (standard) voucher for recipients expected to need a transplant within about a year, and a long-term (family) voucher that can protect up to five family members; the first eligible family member can activate the benefit. Summary: The voucher program provides a way for living donors to donate on their own timeline while preserving priority access for intended recipients, which changes how some families plan for kidney transplantation. Undetermined at this time.