Changing Lives Through Organ Donation
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Writing to Transplant Recipients

While organ and tissue donations are handled as anonymous gifts, families of donors may choose to write to the recipients of their loved one’s organs and their family.

The decision to write to recipients is a very personal one. You might not be ready to write to the recipients at this time. It may be months or even years until you feel able to write. There is no time limit for sending a letter.

If you would like to write to the recipients of your loved one’s organs, you may send a greeting card, note,or a letter. Outlined below is suggested information you may wish to include.

General Information

  • Your loved one’s first name only
  • Your loved one’s interests or hobbies
  • Family composition and/or important relationships (please, no last names)
  • Since the religion of the recipient is unknown, please consider this if you are including religious comments.

Closing Your Correspondence

  • Sign your first name only
  • Do NOT reveal the city or town that you live in, your address, phone number or e-mail address

Mailing Your Correspondence

  • Place your card or letter in an unsealed envelope
  • On a separate piece of paper include your full name, your loved one’s name and the date of donation

Place and send these items in another envelope addressed to:

Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network
Family Services Coordinator
Corporate Woods of Brighton
Building 30, Suite 220
Rochester, NY 14623

Handling Your Correspondence

Writing to Recipients Brochure

Writing to Recipients Brochure

Our Family Services Coordinator will review your correspondence to ensure its confidentiality, removing any identifying information. The correspondence will then be forwarded to the appropriate transplant center and a Transplant Coordinator will send your correspondence to the recipient. It may take a few weeks after you have mailed your correspondence for the transplant recipient to receive

Will I hear from the recipients?

You may or may not hear from your loved one’s recipients. While many recipients are very interested in receiving correspondence from the
donor family, others may be overwhelmed with emotion and have difficulty expressing their gratitude.

Some recipients, though grateful for the donation, prefer not to write to their donor family. They may not be able to express their feelings.

Additionally, it is important to remember that some donor families and some recipients prefer to remain private. It may take several months or even years before a recipient feels comfortable writing to their donor family.

Who do I call for help or information?

If you need help or more information on how to write to recipients, please call 585-272-4930 and ask to speak with a Family Services Coordinator.

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  • © Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, Corporate Woods of Brighton, Building 30, Suite 220, Rochester, NY 14623 (800) 810-5494