Be a living liver donor champion

A living donation champion can be the spouse, partner, family member or close friend of the person who needs a liver transplant. Some patients may have more than one champion. For example, one can be a social media champion and one could focus on other ways to spread the news that a living donor is needed. Sometimes a donor champion is a person who wanted to be a living donor, but could not due to medical or other reasons. Some donation champions end up deciding that they want to be a living donor. Anyone can be a living donation champion!

Champions are important

Living with liver disease is very difficult. People who have liver disease often do not like to talk about it or the fact that they need a transplant. Living donation champions offer hope and help. People who have a living donation champion have a better chance of receiving a living donor transplant.

What does a champion do?

There are many ways a living donation champion can spread the message that a living donor is needed. There is no financial cost for being someone's living donor champion. Your time and effort are all that is needed. Ideas for champions include:

• Speaking to people to tell them that you know someone who needs a living liver donor

• Sending emails

• Writing letters

• Placing a radio ad

• Posting on social media

• Asking local businesses to post fliers

• Placing an ad or article in the newspaper or social/faith-based newsletters

• Making a video

• Placing a radio ad

• Writing a message on a car window or t -shirt or other creative ideas

Additional UW Health resources

Request a supply of our living donation promotion cards and materials. The cards list the contact information people will need if they want to learn more about living donation and/or want to start the screening process.

Our living liver donation communication specialists are ready to help you become a living liver donor champion. Contact them by calling (608) 265-0959 or email donorchampions@uwhealth.org.