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WRITING TO DONOR FAMILIES
Carolina Donor Services facilitates written
correspondence between the recipients and the donor
families. All correspondence is anonymous and is kept
confidential.
Suggestions for
Writing to your Donor Family
Talk About Yourself
- Use only first names for yourself and
others you mention.
- Include your state, age, job or occupation,
hobbies or interests.
- Include your family situation: marital
status, children or grandchildren.
(Remember to use first names.)
- Be sensitive regarding religious comments
and views.
- Talk about your transplant experience.
- Use simple language.
- Recognize your donor family and thank
them for their gift.
- Describe how long you waited for a
transplant and what the wait was like for you and
your family.
- Explain how the transplant has improved
your health and changed your life.
- Talk about the activities that you
can now participate in that you couldn’t participate
in before the transplant.
- Explain what has happened in your life
since your transplant, e.g. celebrated another birthday
or anniversary, got married, became a parent, returned
to work or school.
Close Your Letter
- Sign your first name only.
- Do not include your address, city,
or telephone number.
- Do not reveal the name or location
of the hospital or doctor involved with the transplant.
Mail Your Letter
Upon receiving your letter, CDS will review
the letter to ensure privacy and then forward it to
your donor family, if the family is willing to accept
correspondence.
You may or may not hear back from the
family. While some donor families have said writing
helps in their grieving process, other families - even
though they are comfortable with their decision to donate
– prefer privacy and choose not to communicate
with the transplant recipients.
If you have additional questions about
donation and communication with donor families, please
contact CDS Life Anew Program staff at 800-200-2672.
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