How to Help

Above all, you can help by sharing Laura's story with others in hopes that it reaches her future kidney donor. If you're interested in getting screened to see if you're a match, please follow the steps below to get in touch with the University of Michigan Transplant Center.

Preliminary Donor Criteria

You may be a good match for Laura if...

  • You have type O blood

  • You are between ages 18-65

  • Your BMI is under ~30

  • You have no serious underlying medical conditions (diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, pregnancy, etc.)

If you meet all of these criteria and are open to getting screened to see if you are a potential match for Laura, please complete the steps below.

Preliminary Donor Criteria

You may be a good match for Laura if...

  • You have type O blood

  • You are between ages 18-65

  • Your BMI is under ~30

  • You have no serious underlying medical conditions (diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, pregnancy, etc.)

If you meet all of these criteria and are open to getting screened to see if you are a potential match for Laura, please complete the steps below.

Step 1: Call U of M Transplant Center

Call the University of Michigan Transplant Center at 1-800-333-9013. A member of the living donor team will begin by asking for the full name and date of birth of the patient you're being screened for (Laura Klimecki, 11/19/1985).

What will be asked during the call?

A member of the living donor team will determine your compatibility as a donor for Laura by asking about your health history, family health history, medications and social and demographic information.

Can I remain anonymous?

Yes, you can choose to remain anonymous through the entire process, even when that kidney is being directed to a specific patient like Laura. We will only be notified when a potential match is found, at which point you can still choose to remain anonymous.

Will the information I provide be kept confidential?

The U of M transplant team is governed by HIPAA, maintaining strict confidentiality to protect both the donor and recipient, ensuring the donor's medical and personal information is not shared with the recipient without explicit permission.

Step 2: Blood/Tissue Type Matching

After your blood type is confirmed to match with Laura, potential donors who are medically eligible will need to have blood drawn for tissue typing to determine your compatibility with Laura and the likelihood that her body would accept your kidney.

Who covers the costs of this testing?

All donor testing is covered by the recipient’s insurance. No testing costs are incurred by potential donors.

Where can I get this testing done?

Testing is done at University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If you don't live nearby, they will work with you to find a transplant center close to you to complete the testing.

What if I'm not a match for Laura?

If you aren’t a match for Laura but are possibly a good match for someone else in need of a kidney, you may be eligible for U of M’s paired donation program. This is an optional program where other donors and patients are paired with each other to find the best match.

Step 3: Pre-Donation Evaluation

If you are identified as a potential donor and choose to move on in the process, you'll have an appointment with University of Michigan's Kidney Evaluation Clinic. During this appointment you'll be assessed by a nephrologist, surgeon, dietitian, and social worker from the transplant team.

Who covers the costs of this evaluation?

Just like in the previous step, all donor testing is covered by the recipient’s insurance. No testing costs are incurred by potential donors.

What tests should I expect to be conducted?

In many cases, all required testing can be accomplished on the day of evaluation. This includes a physical exam to determine any medical issues that interfere with donation, blood studies to determine compatibility and immune function, chest x-ray, an EKG of the heart, and kidney function testing. Additional testing may be necessary depending on individual medical history. If on the day of evaluation a person is considered to be an excellent candidate to donate a kidney, a computerized tomography (CT) scan will be scheduled.

Who are test results shared with?

The results of these evaluations are held confidential. Not even the recipient is told about this information.

Can I withdraw from the process at any time?

You are free to withdraw at any time during the donation work-up. There is never an obligation to donate. Laura will only be notified of a potential match at the very end of the screening and evaluation process if you are identified as a good match and you decide to move forward.

If you have any questions for us, please reach out to [email protected]