Implementation of the Live Donor Champion Program

Live Donor Champion Concept: Even with adequate education of live donation, many kidney
transplant candidates still feel ill equipped to ask others to consider donating. Friends and
family are often eager to help and may not be able to serve as donors themselves, but might
be able to provide substantial instrumental support. A "Live Donor Champion" (LDC) is a
friend, family member, or community member who serves as an advocate for the candidate in
their pursuit of live donation. The Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center has
developed a six-month program that provides education and advocacy training to waitlist
candidates and their LDCs. The instrumental support provided by the LDC bridges a critical
link between education and action. In pilot studies, candidates with an LDC were more likely
to undergo Live Donor Kidney Transplant (LDKT) than matched controls. Using LDCs to increase
live donation is a novel approach that has garnered widespread enthusiasm, including support
from United Network for Organ Sharing.

Live Donor Champions (LDCs) as Instrumental Support for Transplant Candidates. Approaching
potential donors is a daunting and overwhelming experience for Kidney Transplant (KT)
candidates. Current educational programs address the medical aspects of dialysis, KT, and
donation, but neglect the health communication skills to discuss transplantation and to
spread awareness through their various social networks. While transplant candidates are
hesitant to engage others in conversations about End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and live
donation, friends, family members, or community members are eager to spread awareness and
provide advocacy for the patient. In pilot studies, this intervention improved knowledge
regarding LDKT and provided instrumental support to the transplant candidates. Understanding
what factors are associated with the successful implementation of this program will enable
its eventual dissemination at transplant centers nationwide ultimately improving nationwide
education and awareness of LDKT. In order to successfully do so, a scientifically rigorous
implementation study is necessary.

Waitlist Candidates

Inclusion Criteria:

- Kidney transplant candidates aged≥18 added to the waitlist in the last year with no
potential live donors are eligible.

- If there is an individual willing to donate, but the candidate is unwilling to
consider this option or this particular individual, the candidate is eligible for the
trial and may still benefit from identification of new donors or increased comfort
accepting donation from others.

- Participants at University or University of Alabama must speak English. Participants
at Northwestern University must speak English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Candidates with live donors currently under evaluation for donation will be excluded.

- Those with a previous kidney transplant will be excluded

Live Donor Champions Inclusion Criteria

- aged≥18

- English-speaking

- Be a "Live Donor Champion" (a friend, family member or community member willing to
advocate for the wait-listed patient).

Exclusion Criteria

- <18, not English-speaking

LDC Administrators Inclusion Criteria

- aged≥18

- English-speaking

- Performed tasks related to implementing the LDC program

Exclusion Criteria

- <18, not English-speaking, and no affiliation with implementing the LDC program