Kidney Transplant

Expert, Personalized Care for Kidney Transplants

CAMC Kidney Transplant Center offers expert, high-quality and personalized treatment for patients living with advanced kidney disease. Since 1987, CAMC has performed more than 1,700 kidney transplants in Charleston, demonstrating patient and kidney graft survival rates one year post-transplant that are on par with national averages.

A Better Option for a Better Life

For adults with end-stage renal disease (kidney failure), a kidney transplant may offer the best chance for a healthier, more independent life. Compared to dialysis, transplantation often provides more freedom, fewer restrictions and a better quality of life. 

At CAMC, we guide patients through every step of the journey - from initial evaluation through surgery and recovery - ensuring expert care and ongoing support.

Our program is affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, one of the nation's leaders in transplant medicine. Your care team includes:

• Transplant surgeon
• Certified clinical transplant coordinators
• Dietitian
• Social worker
• Financial coordinator
• Attending nephrologists

A clinical transplant pharmacist is also available for specialized guidance on medications.

Types of Kidney Transplants

Deceased donor transplant - After your evaluation, a selection committee will determine if you can be added to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) waiting list. While on the list, you'll continue to have routine health screenings and stay in close contact with our team. The average wait time for a kidney varies by blood type.

Living donor transplant - Living donors can be related or unrelated to the recipient. Every donor goes through a thorough evaluation by our multidisciplinary team to ensure safety and readiness. Each donor is also paired with an independent living donor advocate - someone outside the transplant program whose role is to protect and promote the donor's best interests throughout the process.