The Australian and New Zealand Paired Kidney Exchange (ANZKX) Program matches incompatible kidney donors with recipients pairs with other incompatible pairs across Australia and New Zealand.
The ANZKX Program finds matches for people:
- who are eligible for a kidney transplant
- who have a living donor who is willing to donate,
- whose living donor is unable to donate because their blood or tissue type is not compatible
The ANZKX Program uses a computer to search its database for pairs of registered donors and recipients who are compatible. If the computer finds a compatible match, two or more simultaneous transplants can occur by exchanging donors.
This option is known as ‘paired kidney exchange’ or ‘paired kidney donation’.
Common questions about the ANZKX Program
How can I join the program?
To register with the ANZKX Program, contact your kidney specialist. You and your willing donor will:
- need to provide a detailed medical history
- undergo a number of medical tests
- have the program explained to you by a medical professional
- sign a consent form stating that you understand the ANZKX Program and agree to participate.
Who can participate in the program?
If you are eligible for a kidney transplant, and are receiving care at a transplant centre in Australia or New Zealand, you may be able to participate in the ANZKX Program. There are conditions for participation:
- You must have a living donor who is willing but unable to donate to you because of an incompatible blood type or tissue type
- Your donor must be willing to donate a kidney to someone else.
What is the chance of finding a match?
The more donor/recipient pairs registered on the ANZKX Program database, the greater the chance of finding a match.
If a patient has more than one donor who is willing to enter the program, they also have a greater chance of finding a match. However, only the donor with the best match will actually donate their kidney.
What happens if a match is found?
If a match is found, your kidney specialist will inform you. More testing will confirm that the recipient and potential donor are compatible. Once the testing is completed, each donor and recipient pair will meet with their own transplant team to discuss the results. If the donor recipient pairs agree to the exchange, they will proceed to surgery.
If you are identified for a possible donor/recipient exchange, there is no guarantee that the transplant will go ahead. There are physical and psychological issues to be considered. You will receive advice and support to help you understand these issues.
Where would the transplant take place?
If all parties agree to an exchange, and are medically compatible, the two transplant surgeries would take place at different transplant centres on the same day. Each recipient would receive their kidney on the same day as their friend or relative donates.
Can I contact the other couple?
No. Strict privacy and confidentiality must be maintained for each donor/recipient pair. One of the reasons for using different hospital sites for the two pairs of donors and recipients is to protect the privacy of the donor/recipient pairs.
Can I change my mind after I join the program?
Yes. Donors and recipients can change their minds at any time leading up to surgery. The donor operations take place at the same time so that neither party is disadvantaged.
What happens if no match is found?
If no match is found, you can stay on the register and re-enter the match runs. However, if no suitable pair matches are found after a period of time, you may wish to consider other options after speaking with your kidney specialist.
How will my privacy be protected?
As with all medical information, your details will stay confidential. The program coordinator will enter your information into a database. Staff, physicians, surgeons and the program director will review the information.
Your information will not be shared with anyone outside the ANZKX Program or the participating transplant centres without your permission.
Can I speak with the media about my transplant?
Media outlets sometimes contact donors about this type of transplant. You may be approached to speak or write about your experience. However, because anonymity between pairs must be maintained, please first check with your transplant centre if you intend to participate in any media interviews.
For more information, contact the ANZKX Program's national coordinator on (03) 9432 7058.
How can I get more information?
For more information, ask your kidney specialist. Donor and recipient pairs can access counselling support through the transplant centre both before and after the paired kidney exchange. You can also contract the ANZKX Program directly.
Contact the ANZKX Program
ANZKX Australian Contacts:
ANZKX Program Clinical Director
Associate Professor Peter Hughes
Phone: (03) 9342 7058
Email: peter.hughes@mh.org.au
ANZKX Program Coordinator
Emma Vanhardeveld
Phone: (03) 9342 7058
Email: emma.vanhardeveld@mh.org.au
ANZKX New Zealand Contacts:
Dr Ian Dittmer
Transplant physician, Auckland District Health Board
Phone: (64) 09 3074949 extn 22955
New Zealand Kidney Exchange Coordinator
Jo Burton
Phone: (64) 0800 717 777
Email: job@adhb.govt.nz
