WRITING TO TRANPLANT RECIPIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES:
A GUIDE FOR THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF ORGAN DONORS

The decision to write to the recipients of your loved one's organs is very personal. Often times, donor families write to recipients to share information about themselves and their loved one. Many feel that writing such a letter helps them work through the grief.

Golden State Donor Services supports written correspondence between donor families and recipients. All correspondence is anonymous, unless both the donor family and the recipient wish to disclose their identities.

If you would like to write to transplant recipients, consider sending a handwritten or typed letter, or greeting card. The following are some general guidelines for writing to recipients:

• Please include first name only; 
• Share information about your loved one such as their occupation, hobbies, or interests; 
• Share information about your family; 
• Since the religion of the recipient is unknown, please consider this when including religious comments; 
• When closing your letter or card, you may sign your name if you choose;
• Place your letter or card in an unsealed envelope; 
• Include, on a separate piece of paper, your full name, your loved one's name, and the date of the donation; and 
• Enclose the items in another envelope addressed to Golden State Donor Services, 1760 Creekside Oaks Drive, Suite 220, Sacramento, California, 95833.

The Donor Family Liaison at Golden State Donor Services will review your letter or card, and will then forward it to the recipient's transplant center. The transplant center will then forward your correspondence to the recipient. Since your letter or card must be forwarded to Golden State Donor Services first, please allow extra time for it to reach the recipient.

You may or may not receive a response from the recipients. Some recipients may take several months or even years before they feel comfortable writing to the donor family. Many recipients have said that they are overwhelmed with emotion and have difficulty expressing their gratitude in words. However, all recipients are extremely thankful for your loved one's gift.

If you would like more information regarding writing to recipients, please ask for a Family Care Coordinator at 916-567-1600.

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