Donating kidney does not affect life expectancy

DEAR DOCTORS: I was surprised to find out that a co-worker gave his nephew a kidney several years ago. He never mentions it and I don’t want to invade his privacy, but I would like to know more about the process. What does it take for someone to donate a kidney? Is it safe for them to do it?

DEAR READER: Your co-worker is what is known as a living donor. It’s just as it sounds — the donation of an organ by someone who is still alive.

The kidney is the most frequently transplanted organ from a living donor. While less common, it is also possible to donate a lobe of the liver, all or part of a lung, a portion of the pancreas or part of the intestines. The majority…