Write to a Transplant Recipient
A Guide for the Family Members of Eye Donors
The decision to write to a transplant recipient is a personal one. As a family member of an eye tissue donor, you may or may not decide to write to the transplant recipient(s); it is your choice.
Some recipients may reply, while others may make the personal choice not to write back at this time or at all. Transplant recipients may not respond right away because their sight may not stabilize for several months. Many others have said they feel overwhelmed with emotion and have difficulty expressing their gratitude in writing.
If you decide to write, follow these suggestions:
- Include information you're comfortable sharing about you and/or your family member who donated eye tissue. Consider including notes on their occupation, hobbies, interests, or information about their family.
- The religious beliefs, spiritual perspectives, or worldviews of the recipient is unknown. Please consider this if you choose to include any of these references.
- Please keep identities anonymous and confidential. You may include first names of yourself, your loved one, and other family members, as well as the state in which you reside. Please avoid including last names, street addresses, phone numbers, or names of hospitals or physicians. If, at some time in the future, both parties agree to exchange this information, the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank will act as the facilitator.
- If the transplant occurred outside the United States or if the recipient does not speak English, the eye bank will have your letter translated at no charge. Reply letters from recipients will also be translated, if necessary.
After you complete your letter or card:
- Place the letter or card in an unsealed envelope.
- Include a separate sheet of paper with your full name and name and date of the death of your loved one.
- Mail both your letter or card and the separate sheet to:
Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank
Community & Professional Relations
1675 Aurora Court, Mail Stop F751
Aurora, CO 80045
- You can also email your letter. Be sure to include the information about your loved one and the date of death in the body of the email.
All letters and cards are reviewed to ensure confidentiality before being forwarded to the recipient(s).