ABSTRACT Introduction: Prolonged waiting time for cadaveric organ and excellent graft and patient survival with kidneys from living donors have led to the increase in the number of kidneys from living donors. With the increasing use of living donors, an important issue is to determine whether the donation process is safe for the donor. Objectives: The objectives of this study include evaluation of the renal function and health-seeking behavior of living kidney donors at NKTI. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study Setting: Tertiary referral center for kidney diseases Methods: Data of living kidney donors from September 1, 2002 and April 30, 2004 at NKTI were obtained from the Human Organ Preservation Effort Office and hospital Medical Records Office. Only those living within Luzon, specifically the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions I, II, III, and IV were included in the study. The donors were visited at home and instructed to come to the NKTI between January 10 and July 15, 2005 for a free medical consultation. Those who complied underwent complete physical examination and had determination of serum creatinine, urine protein: creatinine ratio and urinalysis. Blood pressure, body mass index, presence of proteinuria, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were compared to the baseline data prior to donation. Donors who failed to come for medical follow up were called to ask why they did not come, despite the free consultation and laboratory examinations. Results: Only 11% of living kidney donors participated. Reasons for failure to follow-up include: could not be contacted, preoccupation with their families, business and studies; and medical problems. Among the 25 subjects, the mean age was 34.4 years and mean interval from nephrectomy was 21 months. Eighty percent of donors had decreased creatinine clearance by Cockroft-Gault formula with the mean reduction of 23.2 ml/minute. No incidence of proteinuria or hypertension was noted. Sixteen percent had body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2. Conclusion and recommendations Although current reports showed that kidney donation is safe, a definitive conclusion can not be reliably made due to the limited numbers of kidney donors being followed up. Hence the following are being recommended: enhancement of the existing national kidney donor registry to determine the long-term outcomes of renal donation and improvement of education and counseling program for kidney donors.