Writing to your living donor or living donor recipient

If you are a recipient of an organ and are writing a letter to your living donor, you may choose to:

• Acknowledge and thank them for their gift

• Include details about yourself such as your occupation, hobbies or interests

• Share information about your family and friends, and include their first names and ages if you wish

• Briefly describe how long you waited for a transplant, and what the wait was like for you and your family

• Explain how the transplant has improved your health or changed your life, for example:

  • Have you returned to work, school or a favorite activity?

  • Describe activities that you can now do

  • Share life events that you’ve enjoyed (graduations, marriages, births)

If you are an organ donor and are writing a letter to your recipient, you may choose to:

• Share your experience as a living donor, such as what led you to decide to donate

• Briefly describe what the donation process was like for you and your family

• Include details about yourself such as your occupation, hobbies or interests

You can include a photo. You may include your first name and the state where you live. Do not include any identifying personal information such as last name, address, city, telephone number, email, social media accounts, place of employment or any objects/gifts. If received, they will be returned to the sender.

Sample letter or card

Dear Donor,

I have been thinking about you since I received your beautiful gift of life. I want you to know that I continue to give thanks each day for this gift. My life has changed because of your generous act.

I have been spending time enjoying my children and grandchildren. I was able to travel out of state for a vacation with my spouse for the first time in years.

Words cannot express how thankful I am for your compassion. Please know I am grateful for this second chance at life.

Sincerely,
(Sign your first name only)

Dear Recipient:

I have been thinking about you since I donated my (kidney/part of my liver). I hope that you are recovering well.

I became interested in donating when my father needed a transplant. Although I wasn’t a match for him, I still wanted to donate to someone in need. I was fortunate to be in good health so I could donate, and I am happy to say that I have recovered well, and I returned to my normal routine after surgery.

I would love to learn more about you and how you are doing since your transplant if you are open to that.

Sincerely,
(Sign your first name only)

Sending your correspondence

When sending your letter or card, include the following information on a separate piece of paper:

• Date of your correspondence

• Your first and last name

• Date of your surgery

This information is necessary for identification purposes and will not be shared with your living donor or living donor recipient.

Send your correspondence to UW Health Transplant Center via US mail or email:

ATTN: Living Donor Correspondence Program
UW Health Transplant Center
600 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53792-1735
livingdonorcorrespondence@uwhealth.org

You may not immediately receive a response to your letter or card. Don’t let that stop you from writing again. Any letters received by the Living Donor Correspondence Program will be forwarded to you. If you and your living donor each exchange correspondence at least once and you both sign a consent form, direct communication can be arranged.

If you have questions regarding the Living Donor Correspondence Program, email livingdonorcorrespondence@uwhealth.org or contact your transplant coordinator.