A. The recent rise in non-directed donors (NDDs) and their initiation of kidney chains offer innovative approaches to help address the overburdened kidney transplant waiting list and improve the quality of life for end-stage renal disease patients. The purpose of this study was to describe the spiritual and religious faith of actual NDDs and potential NDDs (PNDDs), and its role during the donation decision-making process. Religion is an often overlooked yet potentially influential factor, as observed through the experiences of Jehovah's Witnesses and their religious restrictions while undergoing surgery. B. Our sample consisted of 31 NDDs who donated a kidney to a stranger and 20 PNDDs who did not fully complete the donation process. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews exploring the kidney donation experience and decision-making process of the 51 participants. Using an inductive analysis approach, three coders independently read and coded interview transcripts. Codes were then refined and rearranged to develop categories and identify themes related to the NDD decision-making process. C. Spiritual and religious faith was found to be a major category that influenced the majority of the participants' decision to donate their kidneys. 16 (52%) NDDs and 14 (70%)PNDDs discussed the impact of their spiritual and religious affiliations on their decision-making process, regardless actively practicing a religion at the time of the donation process. The NDDs and PNDDs in our study used their spiritual and religious faith to help with reaching a decision to donate, regardless of the actual donation process outcome. D. This study provides insight to the influence of faith throughout the decision-making process of NDDs and PNDDs, of which there is currently little known. These findings can help facilitate future discussions to improve the development of educational and recruitment materials for future spiritual or religious NDD candidates, and to improve the overall NDD donation experiences in efforts to increase the living donor pool.

CITATION INFORMATION: Maghen A, Vargas G, Connor S, Nassiri S, Hicks E, Kwan L, Maliski S, Veale J. Spiritual and Religious Faith of Actual and Potential Non-Directed (Altruistic) Living Kidney Donors. Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

« Back to 2017 American Transplant Congress