Can You Donate Part of Your Liver to Someone with Cirrhosis?
Yes, you can. In many cases, people with cirrhosis may need a liver transplant, and a living donor can donate part of their liver. But there are rules. Not everyone can be a donor, and not everyone with cirrhosis can receive a living donor liver.
This guide explains what cirrhosis, how liver donation works, who can donate, and what it means for both the donor and recipient.
What is cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis means the liver has been damaged over time and is now scarred. This scarring replaces healthy liver tissue and makes it harder for the liver to work.
Common causes of cirrhosis include:
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Long-term alcohol use
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Hepatitis B or C
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Fatty liver disease
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Genetic conditions (like Wilson’s disease or hemochromatosis)
Over time, the damage becomes permanent. In late stages, the liver stops functioning. This is called end-stage liver disease.
At that point, a liver transplant may be the only option.
What is a liver transplant?
A liver transplant means replacing a sick liver with a healthy one. Most transplants come from deceased donors—people who passed away and donated their organs. But some come from living donors—healthy people who donate part of their liver to someone in need.
The liver is the only solid organ in the body that can regrow. Both the donor and recipient will grow back most of their liver within a few months.
Can you donate part of your liver to someone with cirrhosis?
Yes. Many people with cirrhosis are candidates for living donor liver transplants. But there are conditions:
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The recipient must be healthy enough to survive surgery
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The donor must meet strict medical and psychological criteria
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The liver damage must be advanced enough to justify transplant, but not so advanced that the patient won’t recover
A transplant center will decide if the donation is possible, safe, and allowed.
How does living liver donation work?
Here’s a basic outline of the process:
1. Evaluation
Includes liver function tests, imaging, mental health screening, and more. The donor undergoes many tests:
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Blood tests
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Imaging (CT or MRI)
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Heart and lung checks
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Liver function tests
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Mental health screening
The goal is to make sure you’re healthy enough to donate and will recover well.
2. Compatibility
You don’t need to be a perfect genetic match. But blood type and liver size must be compatible.
3. Surgery
The donor gives about 40–60% of their liver (usually the right lobe) in a major surgery under general anesthesia.
4. Recovery
The donor stays in the hospital for about a week. Full recovery can take 6 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer.
Who can donate part of their liver?
To be a liver donor, you must usually:
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Be between 18 and 60 years old
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Be in good physical and mental health
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Have a compatible blood type
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Be willing to donate freely, without pressure
Each transplant center has its own rules. Some centers may allow older donors or exceptions if the case is urgent.
Who can receive a liver from a living donor?
The transplant team evaluates the recipient to see if:
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They have end-stage liver disease (like cirrhosis)
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They’re strong enough to survive surgery
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They have no cancer spread outside the liver
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They don’t have other major medical problems
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They’re willing to follow the transplant plan
Cirrhosis caused by hepatitis, alcohol, or fatty liver can all be treated with transplant—if the patient is stable enough.
Is the surgery risky for the donor?
Yes, it has risks. This is a major surgery, even though it’s done for a good reason.
Possible risks include:
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Bleeding
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Bile leaks
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Infection
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Pain or scarring
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Hernia
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Blood clots
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Complications from anesthesia
Most donors recover fully, but about 1 in 100 may have a serious complication. Death is rare but possible—about 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 donors worldwide.
That’s why donors go through a very strict approval process.
How does the liver grow back?
The liver starts regenerating within hours after surgery. In most people:
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70–80% of liver volume returns within 6–8 weeks
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Full regeneration takes 3–6 months
This happens naturally, without medication. As long as the remaining liver is healthy, you can live a normal life with it.
What does recovery look like for the donor?
In the hospital:
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Stay for 5–7 days
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Walk within 1–2 days
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Start a light diet
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Receive pain medication
At home:
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Rest for 2–3 weeks
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Avoid heavy lifting for 6–8 weeks
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Return to work (if desk job) in 4–6 weeks
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Full physical recovery in 2–3 months
You’ll have follow-up visits and imaging to make sure your liver is healing.
Read more: How to Stop Liver Pain Immediately
What does recovery look like for the recipient?
Recovery is longer and more complex.
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Hospital stay is usually 2–3 weeks
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Immunosuppressive drugs are required for life
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Infection and rejection risks are high early on
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Most patients need regular blood tests and liver imaging
Still, if all goes well, a transplant from a living donor can offer long-term survival and quality of life.
How successful is living liver donation?
Success rates are high.
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90–95% of donors return to full health
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85–90% of recipients survive at least 5 years
Outcomes depend on:
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The health of both donor and recipient
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The transplant center’s experience
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The cause of liver disease
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How early the transplant happens
Read more: Liver Transplant Life Expectancy and Tips for Long-Term Health
Can someone with alcohol-related cirrhosis get a transplant?
Yes—but there are rules.
Most transplant centers require:
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At least 6 months of sobriety
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Proof of attending addiction counseling
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A safe, supportive home environment
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A clear plan to stay sober
Some programs may make exceptions in urgent cases. But the goal is to reduce relapse and protect the new liver.
What if you're not related to the recipient?
You don’t have to be family. You can be:
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A friend
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A co-worker
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A stranger (in some programs)
What matters is that you’re healthy, informed, and donating voluntarily.
Some centers now allow anonymous donors or “Good Samaritan” donors, where someone gives part of their liver to help a stranger in need.
What happens if you're not a match?
If you want to donate but aren’t a match, there are options:
1. Paired exchange
You agree to donate to someone else, and in return, your loved one gets a compatible liver from another donor.
2. Waitlist support
You can still help by being a caregiver, raising awareness, or supporting your loved one emotionally and financially.
Can you donate if you’ve had children?
Yes. Many donors are parents who have had children. Having a baby doesn’t disqualify you unless there were major complications or ongoing health concerns.
Can you still live a normal life after donating?
Yes. Most donors return to their regular lives and activities. You can:
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Work
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Exercise
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Travel
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Have children
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Eat normally
You may need to avoid certain medications, heavy alcohol use, or extreme diets. But you’ll be able to live a full life.
Is there financial help for donors?
Yes. While donors don’t get paid, there are programs to cover expenses like:
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Travel
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Lodging
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Lost wages (in some cases)
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Childcare
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Medical costs not covered by insurance
Ask the transplant center about their donor assistance programs.
Can someone with cirrhosis donate?
No. If you have cirrhosis, you can’t donate part of your liver. Cirrhosis means your liver is scarred and no longer fully healthy. Donation would be unsafe for both you and the recipient.
What are the emotional effects of donation?
Many donors say the experience is meaningful and rewarding—but it’s also intense.
You may feel:
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Proud and fulfilled
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Anxious before surgery
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Tired during recovery
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Sad or confused if complications happen
That’s why all donors meet with a psychologist before getting approved.
What if you change your mind?
You can back out at any time. Even during the final steps, you can say no—and your reasons will be kept private. You won’t be forced or judged.
The transplant team will protect your right to choose.
Are there alternatives to liver transplant?
For people who can’t get a transplant, there are supportive options:
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Medications
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Fluid drainage (for ascites)
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Lifestyle changes
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Endoscopy (for varices)
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Liver cancer treatment (if needed)
But when cirrhosis becomes end-stage, transplant is often the best hope.
Key takeaways
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Yes, you can donate part of your liver to someone with cirrhosis—if both of you qualify
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The liver can regrow after donation
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The process includes strict medical and psychological screening
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Surgery has risks but usually leads to full recovery
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Living donor transplants save lives and offer excellent outcomes
Final thoughts
Donating part of your liver is a serious decision—but also a powerful one. For someone with cirrhosis, it could mean the difference between life and death.
If you’re healthy, willing, and ready to help, talk to a transplant center. Ask questions. Get the facts. And take your time.
Living liver donation isn’t easy—but it’s possible. And it could save someone you care about.
Thinking About Donation? Know Your Liver First with Ribbon
Liver donation starts with your own health. Ribbon Checkup lets you quickly check key markers from home.
Make informed choices—try Ribbon Checkup before you take the next step.
Related Resources
References
JAMA Surgery. (2022). Survival benefit of living-donor liver transplant. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2794850
Columbia Surgery. (n.d.). Living donor liver transplantation FAQs. https://columbiasurgery.org/liver/living-donor-liver-transplantation-faqs
Transplant Journal. (2018). Long-term outcomes after living liver donation. https://journals.lww.com/transplantjournal/abstract/2018/07001/long_term_outcomes_after_living_liver_donation_.32.aspx
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. (2020). Why use living donors for liver transplantation? https://www.aasld.org/liver-fellow-network/core-series/why-series/why-do-we-use-living-donors-liver-transplantation
Hepatobiliary Surgery and Nutrition. (n.d.). Living donor liver transplantation in the USA. https://hbsn.amegroups.org/article/view/6742/html
ScienceDirect. (2022). Meta-analysis on outcomes for adult living donor liver transplantation. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1600613522086282
