Correspondence

• Anyone impacted by organ and tissue donation is welcome to write to their donor’s family or recipient(s). It is not limited to legal next–of–kin — unless legal-next-of-kin decides otherwise — or those directly impacted by a transplant. 
• When should I write? You can write at any time. Click here for guidelines on connecting with a recipient or writing to your donor’s family. 
• At the time of donation or shortly after, donor families will receive some basic information about the person who received their gifts. Likewise, transplant recipients might have a basic idea of who their donor was at the time of transplantation, but identifying information is kept confidential to respect boundaries, privacy and safety. 
• Different transplant centers and medical professionals might have different policies on correspondence. If DNA receives a letter for or from a donor family, we will pass it along to the appropriate contact shortly after receiving. 

• When we receive a donor family letter, we mail it to the transplant coordinator at the recipient’s transplant center. We will also send confirmation to the donor family that we received the letter.
• The transplant coordinator will review your card or letter and may contact the recipient before forwarding your letter.
• Any return correspondence from the recipients go to the transplant center first. They then send to DNA for us to forward to you. It may take several weeks for your letter to arrive to the recipient, so please allow extra time for this process.

• Writing to and receiving a letter about the impact of donation is a deeply personal experience. We cannot guarantee that everyone who writes a letter will receive a response. Donor families have expressed their gratitude for a letter, even if they aren’t in a place to respond.

• You’re not alone. Many donor families and transplant recipients feel unsure, even nervous. That’s normal. The guides below for both donor family members and transplant recipients offer suggestions and examples to help you share your thoughts in a way that feels authentic and respectful.

• Donor families and recipients may exchange personal information and write directly to one another only when all parties agree to do so. We encourage you to share several letters before disclosing personal information. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you may communicate through DNA as long as you wish.

• You decide if and when to write. There’s no right time, no required way.
• You can start the conversation—or respond to a letter you’ve received.
• We’re here to help. DNA facilitates safe, respectful communication between donor families and recipients.

• A greeting card
• A short note
• A letter

• Personal details: Share first names, hobbies, family traditions, or what your loved one enjoyed doing.
• Your location: You can mention your state—but skip last names, city names and contact details to protect privacy.
• Tone: Keep it open-hearted and human. Say what feels right—a few lines or a few paragraphs.

Tip: Include a separate page with your full name, your loved one’s name, and the donation date. This helps us match your note with the right recipient.