recipients (or their family members) can send anonymous thank
you letters or cards through the local organ procurement
organization (OPO) that arranged the donation, if the donor
family has indicated that they wish to receive these
communications. Many donors' families say that hearing from the
recipients of their loved one's organs is the one positive outcome
they experience during their grief.
When should you write?
Now!
What if it has been a long time since the donation? Should I still write?
Yes! It doesn't matter how long it has been: "Just find a way to say thank you - it means so much to us," said one donor family member.
What if the transplanted organ didn't work, or it was rejected soon after the transplant? Won't it make the donor's family feel bad?
How about just saying thank you for the second chance? The important thing is that the donor gave you a gift, and their family will appreciate hearing from you regardless of what happened afterwards.
I just don't know what to say to this family that's grieving...
If it's hard to find the words, send a "thank you" greeting card.
The Department of Health and Human Services, through the
Division of Transplantation at the Health Resources and Services
Administration, expresses appreciation to donors by inviting all
donors' families (as well as living donors) to the annual National
Donor Recognition Ceremony, held in conjunction with a
weekend of seminars and sharing sessions organized by the National Donor Family Council. Often held in Washington D.C.,
or in even years at the venue of the U.S. Transplant Games, the
ceremony is a tribute in words, music, prayer, and video. Each
donor's name is read as each family receives a "Gift of Life" medal.
Many OPO's also arrange similar local ceremonies for the
families of the donors in their area, and some have set up other
means of paying tribute to donors and their families, such as local
donor quilts, memorial gardens, etc. Contact your local OPO for
more information.
