To assess demographic variables of living unrelated kidney donors and health, economic, and social effects of a living kidney donation in Egypt. Analysis of a quantitative data set of demographic variables of 142 living donors from one transplant center in Cairo and qualitative interviews from 1-8 months following the donation of 50 living kidney donors in 2005 and 2006 in Egypt. Ninety-four percent of donors were not related to recipients. Demographic variables indicate that 95 percent of donors are male and the average donor age is 33 years. Follow-up interviews indicate that the average price received for a kidney was 2600 USD. Eighty-six percent of participants sold a kidney to pay off debts, 67 percent to support their families with housing, food and clothing costs. 78 percent reported a decline in their health condition and a weakened ability to perform labor-intensive jobs. 81 percent of participants spent the money within 5 months of their donation. 91 percent reported that they did not tell anyone about their donation and felt socially isolated about concerns related to their donation. 94 percent felt regret about their donation and an inability to get further assistance from those involved with their donation including the recipient, broker, labs, or transplant center. Living kidney donation in Egypt is associated with a decline in health, economic and social conditions. As suggested in other studies, physicians and policy makers should condemn the use of financial incentives to increase the supply of organs for transplantation