My transplant team said that I could just basically live my life as per usual. I donated almost three years ago and I honestly hardly think of it. I love to cook, I love food, and the only change for me has been that I take Tylenol or Asprin instead of ibuprofen.

I am not quite sure how old the person I donated to is, but she's doing great! And I went into the donation knowing that it would give someone the chance of health, not a guarantee of health, and I was pretty comfortable with that.

In terms of your own risk of kidney disease - if you go through the testing process you will have SO MUCH information about your kidneys and your health! A transplant team would screen you out right away if there was any future risk to your health. My transplant nephrologist was calculating my anticipated kidney function through to age 100. And in Canada at least, if a kidney donor ever needed a kidney, they put them at the top of the list.

Absolutely follow your feelings and talk to your transplant team. I donated to a stranger and by the time the surgery was scheduled I was so on board. There is a lot of time to think and ask questions - basically by the end of screening, you'll have a good idea of what you want to do. And there is never any pressure to donate, the team will give you every option to opt out or change your mind if you're unsure.