Kidney transplantation from a living donor is the best treatment option for most patients with kidney failure. However, living donation is often overlooked because family members and friends are not aware they could be potential donors and patients are reluctant or embarrassed to asked their loved ones for a kidney. Researchers in the Netherlands developed an intervention to address these issues.
 
They invited relatives and friends of kidney disease patients to attend a meeting to get information about kidney disease, its impact on life and how they could help the patients. A social worker and a nurse practitioner took part in the discussions and answered any questions. Researchers found get-togethers with a kidney disease patient's family and friends improved their willingness to consider donation. After the discussions, potential kidney donors came forward in all 10 groups.   

This article originally appeared in the December 2009 issue of Kidney Transplant Today.