Donor families and recipients often want to reach out to one another. Donor families love to share stories and information about their loved one. Recipients want to say thank you and tell the donor family how a transplant has improved their life.
Georgia Eye Bank supports written correspondence between donor families and transplant recipients. All correspondence is completely anonymous and identities are kept confidential to protect privacy.
Writing Transplant Recipients
- Here is a list of general information that donor families should consider when writing recipients:
Introduce yourself and your loved one by first name only. - Share your loved one’s hobbies and interests
- Favorite story or memory of your loved one
- If you’d like to hear from them, let them know
Sign your first name only. Do not share your address, phone number, email address, or any information that could be used to identify you.
Place your card or letter in an unsealed envelope and then on a separate piece of paper, include your full name, your loved one’s name and the date of the donation. Mail these to:
Georgia Eye Bank, Inc.
Attn: Public & Professional Relations
5605 Glenridge Drive, NE
Suite 250
Atlanta, GA 30342
All correspondence is reviewed to ensure confidentiality and appropriateness before being forwarded to the recipient.
Writing Your Donor Family
As a transplant recipient, you have the opportunity to write to the family of your donor through Georgia Eye Bank. Many recipients write to share information about their progress and how their vision and life has improved.
Here are some letter writing suggestions:
- Introduce yourself by
first name only. - Share your age, gender and hobbies/interests.
- Recognize the donor and donor family – thank them for the previous Gift of Sight.
- Explain how your vision and life has improved since your transplant.
- Since the religion of the donor family is unknown, please consider this when making religious comments.
- Use simple language.
Some donor families respond quickly to a letter. Others need time and find it hard to respond. Remember the donor family is likely still coping with the loss of their loved one and individuals manage grief in different ways. We know that donor families appreciate hearing from recipients. We also know how difficult it may be for you to write a letter, and we thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Place your card or letter in an unsealed envelope and then on a separate piece of paper, include your full name, date of transplant, name of transplant surgeon. Mail to:
Georgia Eye Bank, Inc.
Attn: Public & Professional Relations
5605 Glenridge Drive, NE
Suite 250
Atlanta, GA 30342
Upon receiving your letter, Georgia Eye Bank will review it to ensure confidentiality and appropriateness and then will contact the donor family to see if they wish to receive the correspondence.