The decision to write to a transplant recipient is a very personal one.

As a family member of a donor, you may or may not decide to write a note to the transplant recipients.  It is your personal choice.  If you decide to write, here are some suggestions:

• Write about information that you feel comfortable sharing about you, your loved one who donated, and other family members.  This may include occupation, hobbies or interests, perhaps special things your loved one liked to do or information about your family.
• You may include first names of yourself, your loved one, and other family members, and the state in which you reside.

• Sign only your first name.
• Keep identities anonymous and confidential. Avoid including any last names, street addresses, city names, phone numbers, or names of hospitals or physicians. On occasion, donor families and transplant recipients may wish to reveal identities to each other. Both must agree to this before any personal information will be released by the eye bank.

After you have completed your letter or card, place it in an unsealed envelope.

• Include a separate sheet of paper with your full name, and name and date of death of your loved one.
• Mail both your letter or card and the separate note to:

  Attn: Donor Family Correspondence
  San Antonio Eye Bank
  8122 Datapoint Drive, Suite 325
  San Antonio, Texas   78229

All letters are reviewed to ensure confidentiality before the letter is forwarded to the recipient via the transplanting surgeon. Some recipients may send a letter or card in response to your letter. Other recipients may choose not to write to you at this time — this is their personal decision. Many transplant recipients have said they feel overwhelmed with emotion and have difficulty expressing their gratitude in writing.

If you have any questions or concerns about this information, please contact the San Antonio Eye Bank.