Donating a Kidney

One of my friends moms is currently in the hospital and in Kidney failure and they are searching for someone to donate one to her asap, from what I understand there is little risk involved and that you can survive with only one kidney... I really don't see there being anything wrong with donating but the thought does scare me. My girlfriend however doesn't like the idea at all, she's terrified of the risk of possibly losing me or me not necessarily being the same both physically and mentally. I really don't know what to do... Half of me wants too as the risk is pretty small and I'd feel pretty terrible if she ended up dying because I didn't step up. But I also have an insane fear of death, and I've had several family members die from surgeries that weren't preformed perfectly. I also don't want to hurt my relationship with my girlfriend... I really don't know what to do... Does anybody know how high the chances of me dying would be? Or just have anything to say in general...?

I don't know anything about donating a kidney, but I think that the possibility of saving your friend's mother's life is much more important than pissing off your girlfriend. It would be an amazing and brave thing for you to do, and I think that if I was in your position, I'd go for it.

♥♥♥♥ your girlfriend, donate the kidney.
I think a life is more important than your girlfriend's feelings.

Apart from your girlfriend's concerns, it seems like you have some fears about donating a kidney yourself. Maybe you should see if you can talk to a doctor/surgeon about the risks involved, so you understand exactly what you'd be going through, before making a final decision.

Hear out your girlfriend, too. It's not like she's just saying "no, just because", she's actually concerned about what you'd have to go through. I can understand that. Perhaps your girlfriend could be with you if you talk to a doctor/surgeon, so she understands the procedure (and the risks involved), should you choose to go through with it.

If you're a compatible donor, you should definitely donate it. The risk of you dying is minuscule, almost negligible. Once you've healed up as well, you'll never notice it's gone. Your girlfriends fear of you being mentally different is just plain silly.

Why isn't your friend doing it for their mom?

But if no one else would step up, go for it. If it will become a deal breaker with your girlfriend, she isn't worth it.