Inova Transplant Center, National Kidney Registry Facilitate International Living Kidney Donation Through Donor Shield

GREENWICH, Conn., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Inova Health's Transplant Services and the National Kidney Registry (NKR) have announced the center's first living donor kidney transplant supported by NKR's International Donor Shield program. The program made it possible for a Canadian donor to travel to the U.S. to help a family member in need. NKR's Donor Shield provides financial assistance and covers expenses associated with living kidney donation, helping make the donation process as easy, convenient, and safe as possible.

"We work with the National Kidney Registry to find the best match for our patients, and, as in the case with this recent donation, that may include donors who live in other countries," said Ann Bigger, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Senior Director of Transplant Operations of Inova Transplant Services. "NKR's International Donor Shield made it possible for this living donor to travel from Canada to our surgical center in Virginia and help a relative in need live a healthier, better life."

International Donor Shield provides support and protections for donors, including up to $9,000 in reimbursement for travel expenses and dependent care costs not covered by insurance.

"Through Donor Shield, the NKR has removed financial barriers that can prevent people from becoming living kidney donors," said Garet Hil, CEO of the National Kidney Registry. "By expanding Donor Shield access to international donors, we can increase living donation and provide more patients with the opportunity to receive a life-saving transplant."

To learn more about Donor Shield, click here.

About Inova
Inova Transplant Center is one of the most active transplant programs in the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC metropolitan area. Inova is consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, caring for over 1 million unique patients each year. Inova was named the 2025 Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, recognizing excellence in patient care, team member engagement, and commitment to continuous improvement. Patients from throughout the region come to Inova for their transplant and continuous post-transplant treatment. More information can be found at Inova.org.

About NKR

The National Kidney Registry (www.kidneyregistry.com) is an organization whose mission is to save and improve the lives of people facing kidney failure by increasing the quality, speed, and number of living donor transplants while protecting all living donors. 29% of all living donor kidney transplants performed annually in the United States are facilitated through the National Kidney Registry.

SOURCE National Kidney Registry