Yes, you can have a kidney transplant from a donor who is not a blood relative as long as the blood type is compatible. Blood type matching is essential for transplant success, but being related isn’t required. Beyond blood type, tissue compatibility (HLA typing) and crossmatching are also checked to reduce rejection risk. For example, if you have blood type A, you can receive a kidney from a donor with blood type A or O, regardless of relation. Programs like paired kidney exchanges even help donors and recipients find compatible matches if initial pairs aren’t compatible. So: no need to be family, just a compatible blood type and other matching tests make it possible! 🙌