Living Partial Liver Donation: A Life Saving Gift
Post Date: December 18, 2025 | Publish Date:
Transplant surgeon Alexander Bondoc, MD, and living donor Amanda Graham discuss the need for more partial liver donations on WVXU’s ‘Cincinnati Edition’
Liver transplant experts at Cincinnati Children’s seek to raise awareness about an important but sometimes overlooked way to help children who need a liver transplant—becoming a living partial-liver donor.
Listen to the WVXU show
Only 5 to 6% of all liver transplants in the United States involve living donors compared to nearly 25% of all kidney transplants. Even modest increases in the numbers of living liver donations could help reduce waiting lists for infants and children, says Alexander Bondoc, MD, surgical director of Liver and Intestinal Transplantation at Cincinnati Children’s.
Overall, 860 children have received liver transplants at Cincinnati Children’s since its program began in 1986. Cincinnati Children’s has been performing living donor liver transplants since 1997. However, since 2020, only about 3% of cases have involved living donors.
The liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate and return to full function even when a portion of the organ is removed, Bondoc notes. Infants and young children can especially benefit when willing adults donate a small segment of their liver, because the segments can fit and can quickly meet the needs of smaller children. Meanwhile, the donor can expect to regain full function.
South Carolina resident Amanda Graham explained her choice to become a living liver donor on the WVXU show. She says she was well-informed that the procedure and recovery time involved would be more intense than a kidney donation.
What to expect
In general, a living liver donation involves:
- A 4 to 7-day hospital stay
- 4 to 6 weeks to return to regular activities
- 2 to 3 months for full recovery
Learn More
Health professionals can learn more about pediatric organ donation and transplantation from this article in Pediatrics, which includes Bondoc as a co-author.
Individuals interested in learning more about becoming a donor can visit: Living Liver Donation – What You Need to Know
- Or call a living donor coordinator at Cincinnati Children’s at 513-636-4312 or 513-636-6794.
- An online donor questionnaire also is available at https://cchmc.donorscreen.org/register/now
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The Research Horizons blog features news and insights about the latest discoveries and innovations developed by the scientists of Cincinnati Children's. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Email researchnews@cchmc.org with questions or ideas.
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