There are 2 types of KPD:
Swap: A swap takes place when 2 kidney patients have healthy donors who aren’t good matches for them. The 2 patients swap donors so both patients receive kidneys from a compatible donor. For example, Donor 1 wants to donate to Patient 1, but they aren’t a match. Donor 2 wants to donate to Patient 2, but they aren’t a match either. However, Donor 1 and Patient 2 are a match, and Donor 2 and Patient 1 are a match. By swapping donors, both patients get matching living donor kidneys.
Chains: Chains help a group of kidney patients who have healthy donors who aren’t good matches for them. In a chain, multiple incompatible pairs exchange donors to help multiple patients get matching living donor kidney transplants.
Usually, a non-directed donor starts a chain. One chain often helps 2 to 35 patients get transplants!