We know that families of organ and tissue donors often find hearing from their loved one’s recipients comforting. When you acknowledge their loss and express your gratitude, you make their loved one’s gift even more meaningful.

Gift of Life Donor Program encourages recipients and/or their families to write to donor families. Because of patient confidentiality laws, we’ll deliver the letter on your behalf. If your donor’s family wishes to communicate with you, they will respond through Gift of Life.

If you would like to write to your donor family, consider submitting a letter through our website or sending a letter or a greeting card through the mail.

Tips for what to include

• Explain how the transplant changed your life.
• Share your family situation, such as siblings, marital status, children and/or grandchildren.
• Describe important life moments– such as birthdays, return to school or work, becoming a parent or grandparent– that have occurred since your transplant.
• Include the type of transplant you received.
• Tell how much you appreciate their gift to you.

If you have difficulty writing a letter, you may feel more comfortable sending a card. A sympathy, thank you or “thinking of you” card could be a good place to start.

Writing guidelines

• Use simple language and communicate in a sensitive manner.
• Don’t include any identifying information, such as your last name, city, the name of your physician or name of the hospital where you received your transplant.
• Consider omitting any religious comments, because the religion of the donor family is unknown.

Will the donor family write back?

Donor families are coping with the loss of a loved one and each manage its grief in different ways. Some donor families find that writing about their loved one and their decision to donate helps in their grieving process. Other donor families prefer privacy and do not write back.

How to send your letter or card

When closing your card or letter, sign your first name only; due to confidentiality policies, identifying information cannot be shared. If this information is included in your letter, it will be edited prior to forwarding to the donor’s family. If we have questions about the content of your letter, we will contact you.

Complete our online correspondence form and submit your letter electronically. You can also upload up to 5 photographs with your submission.

Mail your letter or card to:

Family Support Services

Gift of Life Donor Program

401 N. 3rd Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123

Please include a separate piece of paper with your full name and your date of transplant so we can be sure to identify the correct donor family.

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