The Kidney for Life program offers several advantages for kidney patients in need of a transplant:
Cutting-Edge Matching Technology
The Kidney for Life program uses advanced DNA-based matching technology to identify the best possible donor–recipient pairs. Through a process called eplet matching, donors and patients are compared at the molecular level, allowing doctors to assess compatibility with far greater precision than traditional matching methods. This approach helps transplant teams select kidneys that are more likely to be accepted by the body and function well over time.
Lower Risk of Rejection
After a kidney transplant, one of the greatest risks is rejection—when the immune system recognizes the new kidney as foreign and attacks it. A closer genetic match reduces this risk. By identifying donors with a low eplet mismatch, the Kidney for Life program helps increase the likelihood that the body will accept the transplanted kidney as its own.
Less Risk of Graft Failure
Many kidney transplants that fail after the first year do so because of ongoing immune injury. Kidneys with a low eplet mismatch are less likely to trigger these immune responses, which may help the transplant last longer. Better matching can mean a healthier kidney and improved long-term transplant outcomes.
Opportunity to Safely Reducing Immunosuppression
Because a well-matched kidney is less likely to be attacked by the immune system, some patients with a low eplet mismatch may be able to safely reduce certain immunosuppressive medications under their doctor’s supervision. This can help balance protection against rejection with overall quality of life.
Fewer Side Effects From Immunosuppressive Medication
Immunosuppressive drugs are essential after transplant, but they can cause side effects such as increased infection risk, nausea, fatigue, tremors, and other complications. With a lower risk of rejection, patients may require less intensive immunosuppression, which can lead to fewer medication-related side effects over time.