Donating a kidney to a loved one, the solution is in all of us. The Agence de la biomédecine's new information campaign

From October 18 to November 11, 2021, the Agence de la biomédecine is launching its new campaign to inform people about donating a kidney to a loved one, and is particularly keen to raise awareness of this still little-known practice in France. Chronic kidney disease affects almost one in ten people in France[^[1]

](</fr/don-et-greffe-d-organes-et-de-tissus/don-de-rein-a-un-proche-la-solution-est-en-nous-tous.-la-nouvelle-campagne-d-information-de-l-agence-de-la-biomedecine#_ref1>), i.e. around 5.7 million people. Of these, 91,875 are treated for chronic end-stage renal failure, either by dialysis (55%) or transplantation (45%). Increasing every year (11,437 new patients in 2019), many patients require suppletive therapy. Dialysis is generally the 1st-line treatment. However, there are other efficient treatment strategies. When possible, living kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for patients. It enables patients to regain a better quality of life, without the constraints and effects of dialysis treatment.

In 2019, in France, 3,643 kidney transplants were carried out, 510 of them thanks to living donation (i.e. 14%). In 2020, 2,595 kidney transplants were carried out, 390 of them thanks to living donation (i.e. 15%).

The Agence de la biomédecine's new campaign "Donating a kidney to a loved one, the solution is in all of us" The aim of the kidney donation awareness campaign is to make this therapeutic solution known to as many people as possible. Indeed, we could all be confronted with it one day, as a donor or recipient, as nearly one in ten French people is affected by kidney disease.

• The dondorganes.fr website has been redesigned to give greater visibility to the subject, with dedicated pages providing practical information for interested parties and healthcare professionals involved in the practice;
• A radio spot: "Life's so simple when everything's going well. But it can all go wrong when the kidneys can't take it anymore. These are the kidneys of nearly one in ten French people. There are solutions, but the best solution is to take in a new kidney. We can all give of ourselves to make the life of a loved one more beautiful. All it takes is one kidney. Donating a kidney to a loved one, the solution is in all of us. All the answers to your questions can be found on dondorganes.fr;
• An educational 3D animation has been created to illustrate the radio advert and illustrate kidney donation to a loved one;
• A new poster in dialysis centers and pharmacies, but also accessible by all healthcare professionals; and two brochures available to all healthcare professionals and the general public, providing key information on kidney donation.

3 things to remember about donating a kidney to a relative

1.It's time to talk about kidneydonation Kidney donation is a complex subject, and one that many transplant candidates are reluctant to discuss with their family and friends. Preparing for a transplant takes time and involves complex procedures. So it's vital to talk to your family as early as possible, and also to your doctor, as soon as you've been diagnosed with the disease. The family doctor and nephrologist also have an essential role to play in discussing this therapeutic alternative during consultations, to reassure and inform patients and their families.

2. The donor must have a relationship with the recipientKidney donation to a close relative is governed by law. The donor must be of legal age and responsible, but must also have a relationship with the recipient. The donor can be a close relative: father or mother, spouse, brother or sister, son or daughter, grandparent, uncle or aunt, first cousin, but also anyone who can prove that they have lived with the recipient for at least two years, or that they have had a close and stable affective relationship with the patient, again for at least two years.

3. Donating a kidney to a close relative reduces the need for dialysisIn cases of end-stage renal failure, dialysis is essential. This technique uses a machine to replace the kidneys. This machine collects the patient's blood, filters it and returns it to the patient. A heavy and sometimes difficult treatment, which can be shortened or even avoided by donating a kidney to a loved one, since the patient can be transplanted just before the stage of end-stage renal failure. This is known as pre-emptive transplantation. Kidney transplants from a living donor give the patient a longer life expectancy and a graft that functions longer.

PRPA contacts for Agence de la biomédecine

Elisa Ohnheiser: elisa.ohnheiser@prpa.fr / 06 80 28 66 72 Isabelle Closet: isabelle.closet@prpa.fr / 06 28 01 19 76

[1]

Atlas of chronic renal failure in France, IRDES and Agence de la biomédecine, 2018