Eligibility is broader than most people assume. The only way to know is a short, free, completely anonymous questionnaire. Matt will never know you filled it out unless you choose to tell him.
A short online health survey through Northwestern Medicine. About ten minutes. Matt will never know you filled it out. The process is completely separate from his care team — his knowledge of who has expressed interest begins and ends with what you choose to tell him personally.
If your answers suggest you might be a match, Northwestern's team reaches out with more information. You go through pre-screening, testing, and appointments entirely on your own terms. Matt is not informed at any stage unless you decide to tell him yourself.
You can withdraw for any reason, at any stage, all the way up to surgery itself. The medical team protects donor privacy completely. Matt may never even know who you were. You can save his life and remain anonymous if that is what you choose.
Completely blind. You can fill out the questionnaire, complete the pre-screening, attend every appointment, and even donate a kidney — and Matt will only know what you personally choose to share with him. The medical team keeps donor and recipient information entirely separate. There is no awkward moment, no relationship risk, and no obligation to ever say a word. You are in control of what he knows, from the first form to the final outcome.
Living kidney donation is one of the most thorough free medical workups a healthy person can receive. Every cost — including the time you take away from your job — is covered:
There are no surprise costs, no deductibles, and no out-of-pocket expenses at any stage. Many donors report that the evaluation gave them health information they would never have had otherwise, making the process valuable in its own right — even for those who ultimately choose not to donate.
Through the National Kidney Registry's donor protection programs, giving a kidney does not just help Matt. It protects your family for years to come.
Blood type or tissue type mismatches do not have to end the conversation. Through paired kidney exchange programs, a donor who is not directly compatible with Matt can still set a chain in motion.
You donate to a stranger who matches you. In exchange, someone who matches Matt donates to him. One donor can trigger a chain of multiple transplants. Northwestern Medicine has completed chains involving eight or more people starting from a single donation. Even if you cannot give directly to Matt, you may still be the reason he receives a kidney.
Anonymous, free, and you can stop at any point. Matt will never know unless you tell him.
Take the Free, Anonymous QuestionnaireHosted by Northwestern Medicine
Matt is happy to talk through the process or answer anything you are unsure about. No commitment, no pressure.
Send Matt a Message