Project Summary

Living donor kidney transplants offer better outcomes and lower costs than dialysis, but access remains uneven, and the process can be daunting. The Living Donor Kidney Transplantation project aims to improve access to living donor transplants by identifying barriers, streamlining the donor assessment process, and creating tools for health system improvement.  

Through initiatives like the Transplant Ambassador Program (TAP) and a one-day donor assessment clinic, the team is helping more patients navigate the path to transplant—while expanding access in Ontario and beyond.  

Why This Work Matters 

For patients with kidney failure, a transplant from a living donor can mean more years of life and freedom from dialysis. Yet many patients never receive one, due to health system barriers, resource constraints, and inequities in access. This project addresses those gaps by redesigning the donor assessment process and supporting patients through peer mentorship.  

The result is faster evaluations, better-informed decisions, and a more equitable, patient-centred path to the best possible kidney care. 

Project Objectives

• Increase access to living donor kidney transplants by identifying system barriers and implementing targeted quality improvement interventions. 

• Improve the efficiency of donor evaluations through innovations like the One-Day Living Donor Assessment Clinic. 

• Expand the Transplant Ambassador Program (TAP) to support patients and potential donors with peer-led education and emotional support. 

• Promote equity in access to living kidney donation for underserved populations.

• Support system-wide adoption of living donation improvements across Ontario and other provinces. 

Recent Activities & Progress

• Hosted a national consensus conference with ~100 experts, generating 35 recommendations to improve the living donor evaluation process across Canada. 

• Advanced health equity by developing protocols to address transplant barriers in Northern Ontario.

• Expanded TAP to 210+ ambassadors (26 languages), 170+ patient subscribers, and new outreach in Atlantic Canada. 

• Delivered 13 educational webinars and presentations nationwide, including events in French and contributions to major nephrology and transplant forums.
  
  
• Scaled a one-day clinic for donors, now active at three out of five adult kidney transplant centres in Ontario, with knowledge-sharing across Canada. Started a one-day referral clinic for transplant recipients.