Receiving a pancreas
Find out what you need to know about donation issues and pancreas transplantation
Key points
- In the UK, pancreases are only donated by deceased donors
- If you need a kidney transplant, a kidney can be donated from living or deceased donors
- All donated organs carry some risk
- There are more people waiting for transplants than there are donors
Types of pancreas transplant
In the UK, pancreases are only donated from those who have died (deceased donors). Living donor pancreas transplantation is not carried out in the UK.
Most patients who are thinking about a pancreas transplant have diabetes and kidney disease. These patients may be suitable for a simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant. If you need a pancreas and a kidney transplant, there are at least two possible options.
It is also possible to have a pancreas transplant alone.
Regis
ter to donate
In the UK, around 200 people are on the national waiting list to receive a pancreas transplant.
Organ donation is when someone has agreed to give a part of their body to someone else who needs it. It’s an amazingly generous act that helps to save thousands of lives a year.