There are two sources of kidney donation to people needing a transplant, living kidney donation and donation from people who have died (cadaveric donation). Living kidney donation is the donation of a kidney from one living, fit person to someone with kidney failure. This is now commonplace in developed countries, and is a highly successful procedure, allowing return to a near-normal life.

In developing countries the setting up of a cadaveric programme presents many issues which may be overcome in time, but in some countries would present currently near insurmountable hurdles. Living donation within families therefore presents an important opportunity to address the growing problem of kidney failure. Importantly, it also allows the opportunity for one fit member of a family to save or improve the life of the family member with kidney failure.

Living kidney donation is acceptable in most cultures, and many first degree relatives are willing to donate.

Transplant Links will only be supporting living kidney donations within families, often from parent to child. Giving a parent the opportunity to save the life of their own child is key to the work of Transplant Links.

Buying and selling of organs for transplantation is illegal and unacceptable in any circumstances and all transplants undertaken through Transplant Links will only take place from one member of a family to another.

Transplant Links relies upon charitable donations and volunteers to support its work.