Thinking About Becoming a Donor?
What would make me a match for Amaryllis?
The first thing we have to say is THANK YOU for your thoughtfulness and generosity!!! We know this is a very difficult decision.
To be a match, several things need to align: your blood type, immune system compatibility, and overall health.
Even if you’re not a direct match, you might still help through a paired exchange — where your kidney helps Amaryllis receive one from someone else. Keep reading for more information.
What’s the first step?
The first step is to fill out a secure health screening through Tampa General Hospital. You’ll be asked for health and personal info — including your name and Social Security number — so the hospital can securely match your records. It is 100% confidential and doesn’t commit you to anything.
Use: Amaryllis Ordonez, DOB 06/19/1975
Why can’t I just check my blood type first?
Blood type is only the beginning. Even with a match, doctors also test for things like antibodies and tissue compatibility — and need to evaluate your kidney health.
Will this cost me anything?
No. All testing and procedures are covered by Amaryllis’s insurance. Grants will help cover lost wages or travel.
What are the full medical qualifications?
The donor has to be 18 or older. Although technically there is no age limit for the donor, some medical facilities cap it at 70.
You must have 2 healthy, working kidneys. They will screen and test your kidney functions, as well as possibly do a DNA check to see if there is any history of kidney disease or if you are a high-risk of cancer.
Some conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity, may disqualify you, depending on severity. Also if you are a smoker or drinker you will be asked to make a lifestyle change (quit smoking, vaping or drinking) at least 6 weeks prior to surgery. Being overweight with a BMI over 35 doesn't disqualify you, but you will be asked to lose weight and/or go on a diet to get your BMI lower prior to surgery.
They’ll do a full health evaluation — blood work, imaging scans, heart and lung checks, and sometimes genetic testing. This is a thorough and sometimes life-saving screening.
What’s recovery like?
Most donors spend 2–4 days in the hospital and take 2–6 weeks off from work. Full recovery depends on your body and lifestyle, but most donors return to normal activities quickly — and live long, healthy lives with one kidney.
What about emotional or mental readiness?
You’ll speak with a social worker as part of the process. Donation is a personal, courageous decision — and the transplant team wants to make sure you’re emotionally prepared and supported.
What if I’m not a perfect match? Can I still help?
Yes! Blood type compatibility is important for kidney donation, but there are ways to work around mismatches. If a donor and recipient have incompatible blood types, they may still be able to proceed through:
Paired Exchange Programs (swapping donors with another pair).
Plasmapheresis (a process to remove antibodies that would reject the kidney)
Yes, you read that correctly. There is a kidney trade-in program available. Even if you aren't a perfect blood type or tissue match, your kidney donation will still get me the kidney that I need. Think of it as helping 2 people with one kidney! What a HUGE blessing that would be!!!
If I am not able to help physically, can I donate to her care?
Yes. We ultimately wish that we can find a living donor, but we also are in need of financial blessings so that we can focus primarily on my health. My goal is to be able to pay off already existing hospital bills from when I was first diagnosed, catch up on our other medical bills from doctors and specialist visits and medical procedures already done that have accumulated since I've been diagnosed, and create a "cushion fund" that will cover as many future expenses as possible.
Please assist as much as you are led to, either financially or prayerfully (or both) as I go through this journey to find my donor.