 As a corneal recipient you may wish to communicate with your donor's family. The decision may be difficult, but donor families do appreciate letters and often find comfort in receiving them. Sometimes recipients choose to write to donor families to express gratitude for the "Gift of Sight". When you send a letter or card expressing your thanks and acknowledging their loss may make your gift more meaningful. The Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley protects the confidentiality of all recipients and donor families. We do encourage and facilitate correspondence between recipients and donor family members. If you would like to write to your donor's family, please use the following guidelines which are put forth by the National Donor Family Council. They are an organization that supports and protects the interests of all donor families. Write about yourself - Incluse first names only.
- Acknowledge the donor family's loss and thank them for their gift.
- Share information on your marital status, children, grandchildren, your job or occupation, hobbies and interests.
- Please avoid giving too much detailed medical information about your illness.
- Use simple language.
- Talk about what it was like before your transplant.
- Explain how the transplant has changed things for you.
- Do not get too personal in an initial letter.
- Since the religion of the donor family is unknown, please consider this if you are including religious comments.
Closing your card or letter - Sign your first name only.
- Do not reveal your address, city or phone number.
- Do not reveal the name of your physican.
Allow extra mailing time
Please allow extra time for your card or letter to reach the corneal recipient(s). Once the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley receives your card or letter, we will review it for confidentiality purposes only and then forward it to the donor family. Will you hear from the donor family?
You may or may not hear from the family of your donor. Please remember that all donor families have experienced a terrible loss. While some may respond immediately, others may find it too difficult. Thank you for writing
We know that donor families do appreciate hearing from the recipients of their loved one's corneas. Although they may still be coping with a great loss, your words can offer some comfort and hope. They have made a selfless decision to donate, which deserves thanks. Let them know that their loved one will not be forgotten. Mailing your card or letter - Place your card or letter in an unsealed envelope.
- On a seperate piece of paper please write your name, address and date of your transplant.
- Place the letter and the paper in another envelope and seal it.
- Mail to:
Donor Family/Recipient Services
Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley
401 North 3rd Street
Suite 305
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Additional Information
If you need a cornea transplant and would like to talk to someone else who has been there, or if you have had a transplant and would like to help someone else please contact NACT, Inc. (National Ambassadors for Corneal Transplant, Inc) NACT is an Eye Bank sponsored support group dedicated to helping cornea transplant candidates feel more confident and better informed before surgery. NACT volunteers have all had cornea transplants and are available to talk with you anytime, even after you have had surgery. There is no charge for this service. If you have concerns or non-medical questions about cornea transplant surgery, please call 1-800-743-6667.
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