When Andres "Andy" Mora found out that his older brother, Elizandro "Eli" Cortez, needed a kidney transplant, he knew there was only one thing to do. So when doctors at the South Texas Transplant Center told Andy he was a compatible donor, and his wife gave her support, Andy gave Eli the good news.

"I had to do it if I wanted Eli to get well," says Andy. "It's really a wonderful thing that we did together. Eli has a second chance at life, and I'm as healthy and active as I was before surgery."

There are several advantages to kidney transplants performed with living donors such as Andy, instead of deceased donors.

Living donor transplants are often done between family members who are genetically similar. That means there can be a better match with less chance of rejection.

A kidney from a living donor usually begins to function immediately in the recipient. Kidneys from deceased donors usually do not start to function immediately. Patients may have to remain on dialysis until their new kidney starts to function.

Potential donors can be tested in advance for compatibility and surgery can be scheduled for a time that is most convenient to donors and recipients.