*Purpose: While educational materials and discussions with medical professionals are factually sound, insight from actual living donors (LDs) and recipients (Rs) may offer unique, experiential expertise that many transplant professionals do not have. Here, we examined the lessons learned, recommendations, and critical advice provided by LDs and Rs to others considering living kidney donation (LKD) as part of the Living Donation Storytelling Project.

*Methods: 160 storytellers (122 donors, 38 recipients) shared their experiences by online video platform. Storytellers were primarily White (55% White; 6% Black; 7% other; and 8% Hispanic) with a mean age of 50 years old for LDs and 48 years old for Rs. Two coders watched each video and coded dimensions of advice shared in response to the following prompts: “The best advice I could give someone else who is thinking about being a Living Donor is”, and “My advice to others who need a kidney is…”. Descriptive statistics were run to assess frequencies of themes across stories.

*Results: Thematic analyses revealed 9 LD advice dimensions and 10 R advice dimensions. LDs advised potential donors to: Do research to learn about donation (30%); Get the support needed for post-donation care (28%); Go for it, donate a kidney (25%); Ask questions and get help with the donation process (21%); The choice is yours/listen to your heart when deciding whether to donate (20%); and Seek peer support from those who have donated (20%). Rs offered advice including: Get the word out/Share your need (58%); Don’t lose hope (50%); Get the support you need for post-transplant care (32%); Do your research/stay informed (24%); and Be Proactive/Advocate for yourself (16%).

*Conclusions: Both donors and recipients highlighted the positive impact of LKD on their overall life and encouraged participants to proceed with LKD. Key advice identified can help prospective LDs/Rs make informed choices, address key barriers, and seek help when needed. Although this type of advice cannot replace education, it does offer a source of peer support that can enhance the experience of donors and recipients, but also encourage autonomy and self-management post-transplant.

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