General
Donor letter
June 22, 2025
in General
I just sent my letter to thank my donor's family. My liver transplant was in January of 2024, and I felt it was time. Has anyone else sent or is thinking of sending a letter? It was incredibly hard to start. Gratitude is so hard to express sometimes.
1 - 10 of 10 Replies
Well done !
I have done mine after 9 months of transplant ;was planning to post it today but an old knee pain resurfaced.I agree more so you have to find the right wording for the donor’s family.
It was less the 20 hours I went into the operating room, still waking up the the social worker asked my daughter and if we wanted to contact the donor. My daughter said something the poor boy died less than 22 hours ago, I think we can wait.
However, if been almost 6 years and I dont know how to begin.
@Captsewer Beginning the letter was tough. I didn't know what to say. I spoke with my social worker from UCHealth, and she hooked me up with a packet of sample letters to and from donor families. It really helped. Just be honest about your gratitude. It feels good. Healing.
@TiaBean Congratulations on sending your letter !
@Captsewer I was just like you. I returned to the Transplant Clinic and told my social worker I wanted to say thank you asap. She could tell I was too emotional to write the letter. She wanted to make sure I was about to have a clear head and say exactly what I wanted to say. I waited a month to send it to my social worker. She gave some direction. She approved it and then she sent it to the family.
@Captsewer I have been dealing with so many complications since surgery that I had no opportunity to think. Now I am feeling alive! It just felt like time. Pain is such a pain.
As a rule I do not like social workers. So I have been avoiding them. There should be a simple form to complete. Also, I wonder way my donor's family hasn't reached out.
Has anyone had the donor family reach out first?
@Captsewer Try going through your local Organ Procurement Organization to send the letter.
Transplant Patient
I chose not to reach out to my donor family, for a variety of reasons. My transplant was 5 years ago.
I do know @TheMac and @GarciaChau recently reached out to/connected with their donor families and they might have insight to share
My transplant was almost 6 years ago now. I think I'll pass.
My transplant was 3 years ago, my journey was nuts!! But it happened! I couldn’t wait to write my letter. I wrote and sent it within 6 months! Except a got a letter back with the agency I sent my letter through, it couldn’t be a response already?? No it was my letter and a letter to my donors family! I’m not supposed know any of that!! I called them right away and explained their HUGE mistake! Sent it all back to them, after many apologies got a call a few weeks later from them notifying me they sent my letter to the correct address! After all of that I can say I’m still glad it did it, not happy to know details I shouldn’t unless they chose to share, but I do and am hopeful to hear back one day..