Contacting Your Transplant Recipients

 

Many donor families ask if they can contact their loved one's recipients. This is possible, but only for those whose loved ones donated organs -- heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas or small intestine. (Unfortunately, due to complexities involved with transplantation of donated tissue, we are unable to forward correspondence from donor families to tissue recipients.) The information below provides guidance if you choose to communicate with the organ recipients in the future.

Writing is a personal decision.

The decision to write to a transplant recipient is a very personal one. As a family member of a donor, you may or may not decide to write a note to the recipient. It’s your personal choice.

You may not want to write at this time, but you may decide in a few months or years from now that you would like to do so. There is no time limit for sending a letter.

All names are kept confidential.

The confidentiality of donor families and transplant recipients is protected at all times. All identities are kept confidential and anonymous unless both parties have agreed to disclose their identities to each other.

If you decide to write:

  • Write information you feel comfortable sharing about you, your loved one and other family members. This may include occupation, hobbies or interests.

  • You may want to write about how your decision to donate has impacted you and your family.

  • You may include the first names of yourself, your loved one and other family members, the city in which you live and photographs.

  • Sign only your first name.

  • Keep identities anonymous and confidential. Avoid using any last names, street addresses, phone numbers or names of hospitals or physicians.

  • You may feel more comfortable sending a card during the holidays, or a "Thinking of You" card if you choose not to write a long letter.

Mailing your letter or card:

  • Place the letter or card in an unsealed envelope.

  • Include a separate sheet of paper with your full name and the name and date of death of your loved one.

  • Mail your letter to Attn: Family Care, OneLegacy, 221 South Figueroa St, Ste 500, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

  • You may also email your letter to familycare@onelegacy.org.

Where does the letter go?

Once we receive your letter, we may review it to ensure confidentiality. Your letter will then be forwarded to the recipient's transplant center, whose responsibility it is to pass your letter along to the recipient. This process may take several weeks.

Will I hear from the recipient?

Some recipients may choose to send a letter or card in response to your letter. Other recipients may choose not to write to you at this time; this is their personal decision. Please do not take such inaction personally, as many transplant recipients feel overwhelmed with emotion and have difficulty expressing their gratitude in writing. However, based on our experience, all transplant recipients are profoundly grateful for your gift of life, with many choosing to express their gratitude through community service.