New website aims to help more people learn about living donation and connect them with financial assistance that can help make organ donation possible
St. Louis, MO [Tuesday, November 10, 2026] People interested in learning about living organ donation or considering becoming a living donor can now access a website designed to expand access to information about financial support and other educational resources, with the launch of ExploreLivingDonation.org.
For many people, financial concerns can be a major barrier to becoming a living donor. ExploreLivingDonation.org helps increase awareness of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program (LODRP), which helps eligible living donors with out-of-pocket costs related to donation, including travel, lodging, lost wages, and child or elder care. New rules resulting from the passage of the bipartisan Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act mean priority for financial support through LODRP will be given to low- and moderate-income donors – those most in need of support.
The federal program is administered through the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC).
“When I learned about the NLDAC, I applied for financial help through my living donor coordinator at the hospital we used. They were absolutely incredible. Every expense I had was covered all the way through my first two years after I donated. I’m talking about pre-op, post-op, and post-op checkups. The NLDAC was incredible in covering that for me and then helping with our donation.” – Mark, living kidney donor who received financial support through the LODRP.
ExploreLivingDonation.org also aims to expand access to living donation and LODRP information by engaging community-based organizations to help more people learn about living organ donation and available financial support to lower out-of-pocket costs related to donation.
The website includes:
- Easy-to-understand information about living kidney and liver donation
- Information about financial support through the LODRP and other resources
- Short learning modules that can be accessed on a mobile device or by email
- Videos featuring the experiences of living donors and transplant recipients
- Access to help lines and peer support through national partner organizations
- A searchable directory of all transplant centers in the U.S.
“There are many organizations in the area of living donor transplant that have been sharing high-quality information, but prospective living donors now have a central source for living donation education and support,” said Catina O’Leary, PhD, President and CEO of Health Literacy Media and co-leader of the program behind ExploreLivingDonation.org. Dr. Amy Waterman, co-leader and Director of Patient Engagement at Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center, adds, “I also love that this website can refer interested potential donors to every transplant center in the country.”
The website was developed through a collaboration led by Health Literacy Media and Houston Methodist Hospital, working alongside national partners including the National Kidney Foundation, American Liver Foundation, Our Healthy Community, and others committed to expanding access to living donation education and support. The resources were designed with input from living donors, transplant recipients, caregivers, and transplant professionals. The website will be continuously updated with additional resources and content in response to feedback from users and the living donor community.
“It’s important that anyone considering living donation has access to clear, trusted information and support that helps them make the decision that is right for them,” said Jessica Joseph, Senior Vice President at the National Kidney Foundation. “Easy access to education and financial assistance resources can reduce confusion, ease financial concerns, and help ensure that generosity is not limited by a person’s ability to navigate a complex system.”
By bringing education, financial assistance information, and connections to support services together in one place, ExploreLivingDonation.org aims to help more people learn about living donation, understand available support, and take the next step if donation is right for them.
To learn more, visit ExploreLivingDonation.org.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this project. The award provided 100% of total costs and totaled $1,499,201 The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.