Flashtest

		Do you wonder how to thank the family who made your transplant possible? Mid-America Transplant Services (MTS), a not-for-profit procurement agency, works with families who have unselfishly given permission for organ and tissue donation after the death of a family member. Donor families often find comfort in hearing from the recipients of their loved one's organs and/or tissues. A simple card, thank you note, or letter can be uplifting to the family and reassure them that they made a wonderful decision to help others in the midst of their grief. The decision to write to your donor family is a very personal one. Sometimes, transplant recipients choose to write to donor families to share information about themselves and their own families. Whether or not you decide to write to your donor family is your choice. MTS facilitates written correspondence between the transplant recipient and donor family. All correspondences are completely anonymous and identities are kept confidential. Do you wish to correspond with your donor family? Please address your correspondence to: "Donor Family." Only your first name may be used in your letter and for the closing signature. On another sheet of paper, please write your name, the hospital, and date of your transplant so that we will know which donor family to send your correspondence to. This sheet will not be forwarded to the family. Mail to: Mid-America Transplant Services, Donor Family Support Services, 1110 Highlands Plaza Drive East, Suite 100, St. Louis, Missouri 63110. MTS will mail your correspondence to the donor family and all confidentiality will be maintained. Any information in your correspondence that may breach confidentiality will be taken out. Some information you may want to include: Your job or occupation. Your family situation (spouse, children, grandchildren). Your hobbies or interests. Since the religion of the donor's family is unknown, please consider this when making religious comments. Talk about your transplant experience Use simple language. Recognize the donor family and thank them for their gift. What was the wait like for you and your family? Explain how the transplant has improved or changed your life. Can you participate in activities now that you could not before the transplant? Explain what happened in your life and how your transplant has made it more meaningful? Did you celebrate a birthday? Has there been a marriage in your family? Did you become a parent or grandparent? Did you return to school or accept a new job? Closing your card or letter: Sign your first name only Do not reveal your address, city, phone number, name of transplant center or physician. Will I hear from the donor family? You may or may not hear from the donor family. Some donor families have said that writing about their loved one and their decision to donate helps them in their grieving process. Other donor families, even though they are comfortable with their decision to donate, prefer privacy and choose not to write to the transplant recipients. Remember that the donor's family may still be coping with the loss of their loved one, and individuals manage grief in different ways. While you may be celebrating the anniversary of receiving your transplant, it is also the anniversary of someone else's loss. Please... communicate in a sensitive manner. If you have questions or need additional information, call Mid-America Transplant Services at (314) 735-8200 or (888) 376-4854 and ask to speak to a donor family services coordinator. Reprinted with permission from LifeSource, Upper Midwest Organ Procurement Organization, Inc.		Writing to Donor Families Sharing Your Story Request Center
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