Everything you need to know about kidney transplant and how to raise funds for it

A kidney transplant is a vital operation for people suffering from kidney failure. Healthy kidneys do an amazing job in our body - they filter waste products and toxins from the blood, produce erythropoietin to create red blood cells and release renin, which helps regulate blood pressure.

When the kidneys don't function properly, it leads to serious health problems affecting the heart, lungs and bones. When kidney function is impaired to a significant degree, the condition is called chronic kidney failure. These patients need hemodialysis or transfer to survive.

Dialysis is a life-saving procedure, but it cannot completely replace the function of a healthy kidney. Studies have shown that successful kidney transfer provides a better quality of life and increases life expectancy compared to dialysis. In addition, it is more financially advantageous in the long term.

What is haemodialysis and what are its consequences

Hemodialysis is a procedure in which a patient's blood is purified of waste substances, retained water and salts. It helps to regulate blood pressure and electrolyte balance. It is used in renal failure and in emergency cases of drug overdose or poisoning. It is carried out three times a week for 4-8 hours when conservative treatment does not help and blood creatinine reaches critical values. It can be done in hospital or at home.

Dialysis only compensates the excretory function of the kidneys, but not their hormonal functions. Prolonged haemodialysis can lead to complications such as renal hypertension, bone and neurological problems, skin damage and others.

What are the methods for performing a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant is a medical procedure in which a non-functioning kidney is replaced with a donor kidney. This procedure can be performed in two main ways:

• From a living donor: This method involves using a kidney from a living donor, who is usually a close relative or friend of the patient. Living donors undergo a number of tests to ensure they are healthy and compatible with the recipient.

• From a deceased donor: This procedure uses kidneys from deceased donors who have donated their organs after death. Patients needing a transfer from a deceased donor are placed on a national or international waiting list.

Kidney donation is an act of tremendous kindness and compassion that can save the life of a person in need.

What is the cost of a kidney transplant?

The cost of this intervention can vary greatly depending on several factors such as location, medical center, and the specific needs of the patient. Major costs include:

• Medical costs: this covers the surgical operation, the salaries of surgeons, anaesthetists and other medical staff, as well as pre- and post-operative consultations and check-ups.

• Hospitalisation: The cost of a stay in hospital, which depends on the length of stay and the medical care required.

• Medication: After the transfer, the patient must take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection of the new organ. These medications are a significant long-term expense.

In the United States, the average cost of such an intervention is about $400,000. In European countries such as Germany and France the cost ranges between 80,000 and 150,000 euros, and in Turkey the cost is around 25,000 euros. In less developed countries, costs may be lower, but this may affect the quality of medical services.

Which costs more: dialysis or kidney transplantation?

Dialysis is a procedure that is vital for people with kidney failure. The downside is that it requires regular visits to a medical facility several times a week, each lasting several hours. Dialysis costs include fees for the procedures, transportation to the dialysis center, additional medical care and medications. In the United States, the average annual cost for dialysis is about $90,000.

On the other hand, transplantation is a one-time procedure with high initial costs but lower long-term costs. The cost can range between $80,000 and $300,000 depending on the location and medical center. After the transplant, the patient must take immune-suppressing drugs for the rest of his or her life, which cost about $10,000 to $15,000 a year.

From a financial standpoint, a kidney transplant is often more beneficial in the long run. Despite high initial costs, annual costs after transfer are significantly lower than those for long-term dialysis. For example, after five years, the cost of dialysis can exceed $450,000, whereas the cost of transplant, including postoperative medications, would be about $350,000.

From a health perspective, transplantation offers significant advantages. Patients often enjoy a better quality of life, fewer dietary restrictions, and greater physical activity compared to dialysis patients. In addition, kidney transfer is associated with lower long-term mortality.

Although transplantation requires a significant initial investment, it offers lower long-term costs and significant health advantages compared to dialysis.

Charities supporting kidney transplant patients

There are numerous charities that are dedicated to helping patients in need of kidney transplants. These organizations play a key role in providing financial resources and support for patients. Some of the better known are:

• National Kidney Foundation (NKF): It is one of the largest organizations committed to supporting patients with kidney disease. They provide financial assistance for medical expenses, educational resources and transplant programs.

• American Kidney Fund (AKF): This organization offers grants and financial assistance programs to patients with chronic kidney disease. They also organize fundraising campaigns and events.

• Kidney Research UK: This organisation supports research and provides financial help for patients in the UK who need transplants.

How do organisations help ?

Charities provide direct financial help towards the cost of transplant including medical fees, drugs and hospitalisation. They also provide emotional and psychological support to patients and their families through counselling and support groups. In addition, they organise educational programmes that inform the public about the importance of donation.

How can I raise money for kidney patients?

Fundraising for kidney patients is an important initiative that is extremely helpful in covering the high costs associated with the treatment and transplantation of kidney patients. There are various fundraising methods that can be extremely effective.

• Online Campaigns. These platforms make it easy to share and spread the campaign on social media, which increases visibility and funds raised.

• Charity events. These events can engage the local community and attract donations and sponsors.

• Personal initiatives: Running individual events such as selling homemade items, organising garage sales or offering services such as cleaning and repairs in exchange for donations.

Run a campaign on PavelAndreev.ORG.

Why organize a charity campaign through the PavelAndreev.ORG fundraising platform?

PavelAndreev.ORG is an international fundraising platform that provides an effective fundraising solution. Thousands of online charity campaigns have been organized through this platform and have successfully raised the required funds for various causes. Whether it's funding medical treatment, supporting social initiatives or helping educational projects, PavelAndreev.ORG offers an easy and affordable way to raise funds.

The platform has been created with the mission to facilitate people in need and provide an opportunity for donors to support meaningful causes. With PavelAndreev.ORG you can quickly and easily create your campaign by sharing your story and the goals you want to achieve.

Launching a campaign on the platform is a simple process:

• Launch Campaign.

• Administrator review.

• Share on Social: Once your campaign is approved, you can share it on social media to reach a larger audience.

• Post campaign news: Posting updates about your campaign will keep donors informed and increase donations.

Why is fundraising platform PavelAndreev.ORG the best choice to launch our campaign?

Due to its international reach, PavelAndreev.ORG allows people from different countries to join and support campaigns, increasing the chances of successful fundraising. Furthermore, the platform provides transparency and security in managing donations, which instills confidence in both organizers and donors.

Other benefits:

• The platform has 6 payment methods - card, PayPal, ApplePay, GooglePay, Revolut and IBAN account through which you will be able to receive donations from all over the world in seconds.

• You can pay directly to a healthcare facility for your loved one's treatment or, if the campaign is non-medical, to a company to fulfill the cause or to your account.

• When a payment is requested, a platform administrator confirms it as soon as possible. You also have access to a standing report to track the process.

Join a fundraising campaign or start your own fundraising initiative. Every effort, no matter its size, contributes to the greater goal of saving lives and giving hope to those in need. Your support is invaluable and can change the fate of many.