The Kidney for Life program uses advanced DNA technology to find the best possible match between donors and patients.
Why Matching Matters
After a kidney transplant, one of the biggest risks is rejection—when your body sees the new kidney as foreign and attacks it. The closer the match between your DNA and the donor’s, the lower the risk of rejection and the longer the kidney is likely to last.
What is Eplet Matching?
The Kidney for Life program uses cutting-edge technology called eplet matching to match donors and recipients at the molecular level.
Eplets are tiny parts of your cells. Comparing eplets gives doctors a much more precise way to find the best possible genetic match between a donor and a recipient.
When you have a low eplet mismatch (meaning there is a high level of similarity between your eplets and those of the donor), that means the donor kidney is very compatible with your body.
Benefits of a Low Eplet Mismatch
- Lower risk of rejection: Most kidney failures after the first year happen because the body sees the new kidney as foreign and attacks it. With a low eplet mismatch, the body is more likely to accept the kidney as its own, allowing it to function normally.
- Less need for immunosuppressive medication: A better match may allow patients to safely reduce immunosuppressive medications, which can cause side effects like infection risk, nausea, or hand tremors.
How Can I Get a Low Eplet Mismatch?
If you have a donor who is willing to donate on your behalf and they are either not a match for you or not the best match, you can enter the Kidney for Life program to try to find a low eplet mismatch.
This requires registering with a transplant center that participates in the Kidney for Life program.