American Liver Foundation’s (ALF) Living Donor Network is the first-ever non-directed liver donor database; it was created to connect individuals who wish to donate part of their liver with transplant centers nationwide to help children and adults in need. The ALF Living Donor Network is a pivotal step in addressing the critical shortage of liver donors in the U.S. It not only increases the donor pool but also offers a lifeline to patients who might otherwise face prolonged wait times on a deceased donor list leading to potential decline in health or even death.
What is a non-directed donor?
Most living donors know the person they would like to donate part of their liver to; this is called directed donation. There is, however, an increasing number of individuals who would like to provide the gift of life to someone in need, whom they do not know. These individuals are known as non-directed donors (NDD), formerly called altruistic donors.
Why is there a need for non-directed donors?
With nearly 9,300 people in the U.S. waiting for a liver transplant right now, the need for living donors is great. Approximately 25% of people on the liver transplant list will die waiting due to lack of available organs. Living donor liver transplant offers a solution. It can help increase the number of living donor liver transplants for U.S. adults and children and eliminate the pediatric liver candidate waitlist.
The ALF Living Donor Network is voluntary and open to anyone who would like to become a non-directed liver donor. Registrants must be 18 years of age or older and reside in the U.S.
Get Involved
How Do I Sign-Up?
Ready to become a non-directed liver donor and help save a life today? Head directly to the ALF Living Donor Network powered by Medsleuth to get started.
FAQs
Dive into our FAQ section for clear, concise answers to common questions about what to expect from becoming a non-directed donor, who qualifies, what you will do and more.
About Living Liver Donation
Living donor liver transplantation is a surgical procedure where a healthy person donates a portion of their liver to a child or adult in need. Visit our Living Donor Liver Transplant Information Center for an introduction to living donation, a donor’s guide transplant, and more.