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 is complete, our multidisciplinary selection committee will determine your eligibility for placement on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) kidney transplant waiting list. Once listed, you will continue to participate in routine health assessments and maintain regular communication with our transplant team to ensure you remain an active and qualified candidate.

The average wait time for a kidney transplant varies based on several factors, including blood type. Under OPTN policy, patients may choose to be listed at more than one transplant center (multiple listing). Each transplant hospital has its own evaluation process and acceptance criteria. This typically includes completing a comprehensive medical evaluation and agreeing to meet the program's specific requirements, such as the ability to arrive at the hospital within a designated time frame if an organ becomes available.

To be listed in our program, you must be able to arrive at our hospital within six hours of being notified of an organ offer.

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.