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Dear Donor Family,

I am writing to thank you for the kind and generous gift of tissue donation from your loved one. I am so sorry for your loss, but I want you to know that your decision to donate has changed my life in a very positive way.

I needed a tissue transplant because

(Add your personal message here)

Since the tissue transplant I have been able to

(Add your personal message here)

For this I am very grateful to you and your loved one. My family and I will always remember your act of kindness and generosity.

Thank you,

(Your first name), or “A Recipient”

 

Transplant Professionals

Donor Families

Send A Letter

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
- William Arthur Ward

If you have received a donated organ or donated tissue, chances are that you have experienced a dramatic and very positive change in your health and your life.

You received your transplant because someone said “yes” to donation. Sharing the joy and celebration of your renewed life by writing to your donor’s family is a very simple and wonderful way to give something back to them.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you write:

• You can use the sample letter shown to help you get started
  
  
• Write your letter on a card or notepaper, or type it at your computer. It is very important to return the card with your letter. Your letter cannot be forwarded without the information on the card.
  
  
• If you received an organ transplant, send your letter to your transplant center.
  
  
• If you received a tissue transplant, hand written cards and letters should be sent to:
  

  Pathways Thank You Letter Program
  PO Box 1568, Wall, New Jersey 07719

• OR - You can use the Send a Letter link to write and send your letter online.
  
  
• All you need to say is “thank you”. If you would like to say more, read on!
  
  
  • You can include some personal information about what life was like before your surgery.
    
    
  • You can also include information about how you expect your life to change or how it has already changed since the surgery. You don’t have to be fully recovered.
    
    
  • You can remain anonymous. You don’t have to sign your name. Depending on the type of surgery you have had, you may have already experienced relief of pain or maybe you can move or walk better than before. But recovery may also take some time.
    
    

  YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE COMPLETELY RECOVERED IN ORDER TO WRITE TO YOUR DONOR’S FAMILY.
  
  Your donor’s family is eager to know that someone has received the gift of their loved one’s donation, even if that gift has not done all its work yet. The staff will make sure it gets to your donor’s family. If you received tissue but did not receive a card after surgery, and would like to write a letter to your donor’s family, please contact us to find out more. We may be able to help.