As a donor family member you may wish to communicate with the recipient(s) of your loved one’s corneas. Writing to the recipients and sharing bits of information about your loved one can sometimes be a comfort.
The Lions Eye Bank of Oregon encourages and facilitates all correspondence between donor families and cornea recipients. We protect the anonymity of both the donor families and the recipients. If you would like to write a letter to the recipient of your loved one’s corneas, please use the following guidelines. These guidelines are recommended by the National Donor Family Council.
Sharing about your loved one
• Include first names only
• Discuss family situations such as marital status, children and grandchildren
• Share their job or occupation, hobbies, and interests
• Please avoid giving too much medical information about how your loved one died
• Use simple language
• Do not get too personal in an initial letter
• Since the religion of the recipient 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 the hospital where your loved one died
Will you receive a letter back?
You may or may not hear from the recipient of your loved one’s corneas. Please remember that all recipients have experienced a debilitating illness. While some recipients may respond immediately, other may find it initially difficult.
Thank you for writing
We know that recipients appreciate hearing from the families of their donors. We can also appreciate how difficult it must have been for you to write this letter.
Mailing your card of letter
• Place your card or letter in an unsealed envelope
• On a separate piece of paper please write your name, the name of your loved one and the date of the donation.
• Place the letter and the paper in another envelope and seal it.
• Mail to:
Outreach Department
Lions Eye Bank of Oregon
1010 NW 22nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97210
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