Overview
What is a Kidney Transplant?
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney from a donor is placed into your body to take over the work your own kidneys can no longer do. The donated kidney is usually positioned in the lower abdomen, where it connects to nearby blood vessels and the bladder. Your own kidneys typically remain in place unless they are causing specific problems.
When a transplanted kidney functions well, it filters your blood continuously — the way healthy kidneys naturally would. That means no more dialysis, fewer dietary restrictions, and for most patients, a significantly improved quality of life.
Donor
Information
Types of Kidney Donors
There are two main sources of donor kidneys — living donors and deceased donors. Understanding the difference is important as you think about your options and talk to your transplant team.
The sooner you start the conversation, the better.
Transplant evaluation takes time and getting on the waitlist early matters. Your Cooper social worker can help connect you with a transplant center and support you and your family through the evaluation process.
What to
Expect
The Transplant Process
A kidney transplant is not a single event, it's a multi-step journey that can span years. Understanding the process helps you prepare and make the most of the time while you wait.
1
Talk to your nephrologist about transplant.
The conversation about transplant should happen as early as possible — ideally before or around the time you start dialysis. Your nephrologist will assess whether you are a potential candidate and refer you for a formal transplant evaluation.
2
Transplant center evaluation
You'll undergo a comprehensive evaluation at a transplant center — medical testing, imaging, psychosocial assessment, and a review of your overall health to determine if transplant is appropriate for you and what kind of donor kidney is the best fit.
3
Get listed on the national waitlist.
Once approved, you are placed on the UNOS national waitlist. Time spent on dialysis before listing may count toward your wait time. Consider listing at more than one transplant center in different OPO regions to improve your chances of receiving a kidney sooner.
4
Bridge the wait with home dialysis.
This is where Cooper comes in. While you wait for a kidney, home dialysis keeps you healthy, maintains your physical condition, and — in the case of peritoneal dialysis — may help preserve residual kidney function. Cooper coordinates directly with your transplant team so everyone is aligned throughout your wait.
5
The call and the surgery.
When a deceased donor kidney becomes available, your transplant team will call. You may need to get to the hospital quickly — within hours. Have your transportation plan, emergency contacts, and hospital bag ready at all times once you are listed. The surgery itself typically takes 2–4 hours.
6
Post-transplant care and anti-rejection medications.
After a successful transplant, lifelong anti-rejection (immunosuppression) medications are required to prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney. Regular follow-up with your transplant team is essential. Many patients stop dialysis immediately after their transplant and before they leave the hospital.
Why
Home Dialysis Matters
Home Dialysis as a Bridge to Transplant
The years spent waiting for a transplant are not simply time to endure, they are time to prepare.
How well you maintain your health during that wait directly affects your outcomes after transplant. Home dialysis, and peritoneal dialysis in particular, offers meaningful advantages for patients who are transplant-bound.
Cooper's social worker coordinates directly with your transplant center.
Throughout your time on home dialysis, an assigned social worker works with the transplant center to relay relevant clinical information, flagging changes in your status, and helping you prepare for the transition when a kidney becomes available.
Our
Role
How Cooper Helps
Cooper is not a transplant center. Transplant surgery and the evaluation process are managed by specialized transplant programs. We ensure that your home dialysis care during the wait is exceptional, and that you arrive at your transplant moment in the best possible condition.
What Cooper Home Health provides throughout your wait.
All of the following happen at your home, on your schedule:
In-home PD or HHD training and ongoing clinical support
Regular home visits, lab draws (including specific labs required by transplant centers ), and medication administration.
Direct coordination with your nephrologist and transplant team.
Social worker support — including help connecting with a transplant center if you haven't yet started the evaluation process.
Emotional support and practical planning as your transplant date approaches.
24/7 clinical availability — so you're never navigating a question or concern alone.
