Question about testing for matches for Organ Donation...?

Say I wanted to see if I was a match to donate a kidney to someone genetically linked to me closely (I understand that doesn't necessarily mean much, but still). Problem being I'm 600 miles away. Is it possible to get tested at a local place, and have the results faxed or somehow else sent to the Hospital the ailing person is at, or do I have to be at the hospital they are at? Also, what type of facility would I go to? An ER type hospital, an urgent care facility, my general practitioner?

Please forgive the crappy grammar and run-on sentences. As you can imagine, I'm a bit flustered.

Honestly?
If you were to go to an ER or urgent care asking this very question, the doctor would most likely shake their head, say, "Huh...I'm not sure", and tell you to go ask your primary care physician. This just isn't their area of expertise, that's all. Doctor's don't know everything, of course.

If you went to your PCP, they would also not likely know how to help you. They would likely suggest you talk to the doctors caring for your relative and go from there (which is good advice), or they would give you advice like this:

This is the webapge that will help you a ton:
http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/li...

Their FAQ answers your question and others you may have. And you can email them at livingdonors@kidney.org or call them directly at 800.622.9010 and they will answer all of your questions personally, and much better than your PCP. Not only would they know the answers, they would love to talk to you more about this issue, as this is their passion.

Bottom line, the first step is a simple blood test to see if your blood types are compatible. No doubt, your relative already knows their blood type (or their doctor does...or can and will find out). If your blood types are not compatible, no further testing is necessary. You wouldn't be able to donate your kidney to them.

In fact, if you already know your blood type, you can simply ask this relative for their blood type and see for yourself if this is even a possibility. Check this out:
http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/li...

If there is a potential match via the blood type...then more testing can be done...and you will start on the road to consider such a noble sacrifice.

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I hope this helped.

God be with you and your friend.

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usually a big medical center will have such facilities.
the test itself is quite simple, like a blood test. the best thing would be to have the relatives who need the transplantation to find out on their side where you need to go to be tested.

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