Letter to Donor's Family

CountryGirl

New member
Hey all. This is Anna, Liza's daughter. I almost never sign in, although I am always on here reading peoples posts.

I was wondering how many of you wrote to your donor family? How do you start a letter like that? Im not sure if I should just start with a "Thank you" or start out by telling them about myself. I really want to write my letter I just dont know how to start something so important.

Thank you all for any help you can give me.
 

CountryGirl

New member
Hey all. This is Anna, Liza's daughter. I almost never sign in, although I am always on here reading peoples posts.

I was wondering how many of you wrote to your donor family? How do you start a letter like that? Im not sure if I should just start with a "Thank you" or start out by telling them about myself. I really want to write my letter I just dont know how to start something so important.

Thank you all for any help you can give me.
 

CountryGirl

New member
Hey all. This is Anna, Liza's daughter. I almost never sign in, although I am always on here reading peoples posts.

I was wondering how many of you wrote to your donor family? How do you start a letter like that? Im not sure if I should just start with a "Thank you" or start out by telling them about myself. I really want to write my letter I just dont know how to start something so important.

Thank you all for any help you can give me.
 

CountryGirl

New member
Hey all. This is Anna, Liza's daughter. I almost never sign in, although I am always on here reading peoples posts.

I was wondering how many of you wrote to your donor family? How do you start a letter like that? Im not sure if I should just start with a "Thank you" or start out by telling them about myself. I really want to write my letter I just dont know how to start something so important.

Thank you all for any help you can give me.
 

CountryGirl

New member
Hey all. This is Anna, Liza's daughter. I almost never sign in, although I am always on here reading peoples posts.

I was wondering how many of you wrote to your donor family? How do you start a letter like that? Im not sure if I should just start with a "Thank you" or start out by telling them about myself. I really want to write my letter I just dont know how to start something so important.

Thank you all for any help you can give me.
 

Marjolein

New member
Hi Anna,

it's great to see you here <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope you are feeling ok

I am in the same situation as you are, although i had my tx a little more then a year ago now. I want to write the letter too, but don't know where to start... I know i will do it someday and i hope i can do it before the end of this year, but i know it will come.

Risa, she is a member here too, has her own <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org">site</a> and just yesterday there was a thread started there about writing 'the' letter. I think it's about getting in touch with the donor's family too but the members of the forum write about when they wrote the letter and you can read one there too.

Hope to see you here more often, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, if you want you can pm me too.

Love, Marjolein
 

Marjolein

New member
Hi Anna,

it's great to see you here <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope you are feeling ok

I am in the same situation as you are, although i had my tx a little more then a year ago now. I want to write the letter too, but don't know where to start... I know i will do it someday and i hope i can do it before the end of this year, but i know it will come.

Risa, she is a member here too, has her own <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org">site</a> and just yesterday there was a thread started there about writing 'the' letter. I think it's about getting in touch with the donor's family too but the members of the forum write about when they wrote the letter and you can read one there too.

Hope to see you here more often, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, if you want you can pm me too.

Love, Marjolein
 

Marjolein

New member
Hi Anna,

it's great to see you here <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope you are feeling ok

I am in the same situation as you are, although i had my tx a little more then a year ago now. I want to write the letter too, but don't know where to start... I know i will do it someday and i hope i can do it before the end of this year, but i know it will come.

Risa, she is a member here too, has her own <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org">site</a> and just yesterday there was a thread started there about writing 'the' letter. I think it's about getting in touch with the donor's family too but the members of the forum write about when they wrote the letter and you can read one there too.

Hope to see you here more often, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, if you want you can pm me too.

Love, Marjolein
 

Marjolein

New member
Hi Anna,

it's great to see you here <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope you are feeling ok

I am in the same situation as you are, although i had my tx a little more then a year ago now. I want to write the letter too, but don't know where to start... I know i will do it someday and i hope i can do it before the end of this year, but i know it will come.

Risa, she is a member here too, has her own <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org">site</a> and just yesterday there was a thread started there about writing 'the' letter. I think it's about getting in touch with the donor's family too but the members of the forum write about when they wrote the letter and you can read one there too.

Hope to see you here more often, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, if you want you can pm me too.

Love, Marjolein
 

Marjolein

New member
Hi Anna,

it's great to see you here <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope you are feeling ok

I am in the same situation as you are, although i had my tx a little more then a year ago now. I want to write the letter too, but don't know where to start... I know i will do it someday and i hope i can do it before the end of this year, but i know it will come.

Risa, she is a member here too, has her own <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org">site</a> and just yesterday there was a thread started there about writing 'the' letter. I think it's about getting in touch with the donor's family too but the members of the forum write about when they wrote the letter and you can read one there too.

Hope to see you here more often, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, if you want you can pm me too.

Love, Marjolein
 

coltsfan715

New member
Hey Anna,

Glad to hear you are doing well! I had my transplant in May of this year and am still in the process of finding the right words for my letter to my donor family.

I have talked to several people - including the OPO for our area - and they have indicated to me that the donor families just like to know a little about us. They like to know why we were transplanted - waht led to our decline in health. Some of the things we have been able to do since transplant that we could not do before. If you have started making plans to go back to school - get married - if you have kids. Just to know about us.

Saying thank you is always a given I am sure, but like I have thought how exactly do you say thank you to a total stranger for saving your life? There isn't a single thing that can be said to truly and justly express that I don't think.

I have tried to write my letter several times and each time I read over it and I think - that isn't write. That isn't what I want to send. I would not rush it - I know you may want to send something RIGHT NOW! I know I did - I was ready to write my letter 4 days after surgery - once I was able to relax and breathe and sleep and just everything I was just overwhelmed by it all and I wanted to let them know.

One thing you have to consider as well - and this is part of the reason I have not been upset that my letter is not done yet - is that the family needs some time to grieve. We are thrilled at our second chance at life - but in our chance, in our "miracle" they suffered a great loss of a loved one. I am not trying to discourage you from sending a letter now if you want I am just saying if you are feeling bad about having not sent one yet I would not worry about it - it is simply giving them some more time to grieve before recieving the letter.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to write and whenever you choose to send it. I hope that you are able to get a reply as well.

Take Care and Keep up the GREAT work,
Linds
 

coltsfan715

New member
Hey Anna,

Glad to hear you are doing well! I had my transplant in May of this year and am still in the process of finding the right words for my letter to my donor family.

I have talked to several people - including the OPO for our area - and they have indicated to me that the donor families just like to know a little about us. They like to know why we were transplanted - waht led to our decline in health. Some of the things we have been able to do since transplant that we could not do before. If you have started making plans to go back to school - get married - if you have kids. Just to know about us.

Saying thank you is always a given I am sure, but like I have thought how exactly do you say thank you to a total stranger for saving your life? There isn't a single thing that can be said to truly and justly express that I don't think.

I have tried to write my letter several times and each time I read over it and I think - that isn't write. That isn't what I want to send. I would not rush it - I know you may want to send something RIGHT NOW! I know I did - I was ready to write my letter 4 days after surgery - once I was able to relax and breathe and sleep and just everything I was just overwhelmed by it all and I wanted to let them know.

One thing you have to consider as well - and this is part of the reason I have not been upset that my letter is not done yet - is that the family needs some time to grieve. We are thrilled at our second chance at life - but in our chance, in our "miracle" they suffered a great loss of a loved one. I am not trying to discourage you from sending a letter now if you want I am just saying if you are feeling bad about having not sent one yet I would not worry about it - it is simply giving them some more time to grieve before recieving the letter.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to write and whenever you choose to send it. I hope that you are able to get a reply as well.

Take Care and Keep up the GREAT work,
Linds
 

coltsfan715

New member
Hey Anna,

Glad to hear you are doing well! I had my transplant in May of this year and am still in the process of finding the right words for my letter to my donor family.

I have talked to several people - including the OPO for our area - and they have indicated to me that the donor families just like to know a little about us. They like to know why we were transplanted - waht led to our decline in health. Some of the things we have been able to do since transplant that we could not do before. If you have started making plans to go back to school - get married - if you have kids. Just to know about us.

Saying thank you is always a given I am sure, but like I have thought how exactly do you say thank you to a total stranger for saving your life? There isn't a single thing that can be said to truly and justly express that I don't think.

I have tried to write my letter several times and each time I read over it and I think - that isn't write. That isn't what I want to send. I would not rush it - I know you may want to send something RIGHT NOW! I know I did - I was ready to write my letter 4 days after surgery - once I was able to relax and breathe and sleep and just everything I was just overwhelmed by it all and I wanted to let them know.

One thing you have to consider as well - and this is part of the reason I have not been upset that my letter is not done yet - is that the family needs some time to grieve. We are thrilled at our second chance at life - but in our chance, in our "miracle" they suffered a great loss of a loved one. I am not trying to discourage you from sending a letter now if you want I am just saying if you are feeling bad about having not sent one yet I would not worry about it - it is simply giving them some more time to grieve before recieving the letter.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to write and whenever you choose to send it. I hope that you are able to get a reply as well.

Take Care and Keep up the GREAT work,
Linds
 

coltsfan715

New member
Hey Anna,

Glad to hear you are doing well! I had my transplant in May of this year and am still in the process of finding the right words for my letter to my donor family.

I have talked to several people - including the OPO for our area - and they have indicated to me that the donor families just like to know a little about us. They like to know why we were transplanted - waht led to our decline in health. Some of the things we have been able to do since transplant that we could not do before. If you have started making plans to go back to school - get married - if you have kids. Just to know about us.

Saying thank you is always a given I am sure, but like I have thought how exactly do you say thank you to a total stranger for saving your life? There isn't a single thing that can be said to truly and justly express that I don't think.

I have tried to write my letter several times and each time I read over it and I think - that isn't write. That isn't what I want to send. I would not rush it - I know you may want to send something RIGHT NOW! I know I did - I was ready to write my letter 4 days after surgery - once I was able to relax and breathe and sleep and just everything I was just overwhelmed by it all and I wanted to let them know.

One thing you have to consider as well - and this is part of the reason I have not been upset that my letter is not done yet - is that the family needs some time to grieve. We are thrilled at our second chance at life - but in our chance, in our "miracle" they suffered a great loss of a loved one. I am not trying to discourage you from sending a letter now if you want I am just saying if you are feeling bad about having not sent one yet I would not worry about it - it is simply giving them some more time to grieve before recieving the letter.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to write and whenever you choose to send it. I hope that you are able to get a reply as well.

Take Care and Keep up the GREAT work,
Linds
 

coltsfan715

New member
Hey Anna,

Glad to hear you are doing well! I had my transplant in May of this year and am still in the process of finding the right words for my letter to my donor family.

I have talked to several people - including the OPO for our area - and they have indicated to me that the donor families just like to know a little about us. They like to know why we were transplanted - waht led to our decline in health. Some of the things we have been able to do since transplant that we could not do before. If you have started making plans to go back to school - get married - if you have kids. Just to know about us.

Saying thank you is always a given I am sure, but like I have thought how exactly do you say thank you to a total stranger for saving your life? There isn't a single thing that can be said to truly and justly express that I don't think.

I have tried to write my letter several times and each time I read over it and I think - that isn't write. That isn't what I want to send. I would not rush it - I know you may want to send something RIGHT NOW! I know I did - I was ready to write my letter 4 days after surgery - once I was able to relax and breathe and sleep and just everything I was just overwhelmed by it all and I wanted to let them know.

One thing you have to consider as well - and this is part of the reason I have not been upset that my letter is not done yet - is that the family needs some time to grieve. We are thrilled at our second chance at life - but in our chance, in our "miracle" they suffered a great loss of a loved one. I am not trying to discourage you from sending a letter now if you want I am just saying if you are feeling bad about having not sent one yet I would not worry about it - it is simply giving them some more time to grieve before recieving the letter.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to write and whenever you choose to send it. I hope that you are able to get a reply as well.

Take Care and Keep up the GREAT work,
Linds
 

EnergyGal

New member
With both transplants, I wrote my letters within two months. I wrote my second letter in the hospital and wrote it up and my Mom brought me in a beautiful blank card and gave it to my social worker. I know she kept it for a few months before giving it to the organ procurement office. I heard that my donor family would contact me but they have not. I knew that it would be a long time before I hear from them if i do.

With my first transplant, I wrote three letters and never heard a thing.

I personally feel that expressing a thank you is very important. If you write from your heart it is always beautiful and whatever words you choose to say today, will be fine.

It is not how you write but what you have to say that can make the difference to this family.

Do not worry, if the Donor family does not want to receive the letter, your letter will be kept on file. The organ procurement team usually calls the family first to find out if they care to receive the letter and they always mail your letter within another envelope so they do not see the letter unless they are ready to open it up.

Some families just want to hear a thank you and nothing more comes of it.

I should find my copy of my letter and put it on my site.

Sending my love to all on this thread and I am so happy that we are all transplanted!

Thank you Marjolein<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
here you go for anyone interested in reading
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/3/11991.html?1187705769">http://www.transplantbuddies.o.../11991.html?1187705769</a>
 

EnergyGal

New member
With both transplants, I wrote my letters within two months. I wrote my second letter in the hospital and wrote it up and my Mom brought me in a beautiful blank card and gave it to my social worker. I know she kept it for a few months before giving it to the organ procurement office. I heard that my donor family would contact me but they have not. I knew that it would be a long time before I hear from them if i do.

With my first transplant, I wrote three letters and never heard a thing.

I personally feel that expressing a thank you is very important. If you write from your heart it is always beautiful and whatever words you choose to say today, will be fine.

It is not how you write but what you have to say that can make the difference to this family.

Do not worry, if the Donor family does not want to receive the letter, your letter will be kept on file. The organ procurement team usually calls the family first to find out if they care to receive the letter and they always mail your letter within another envelope so they do not see the letter unless they are ready to open it up.

Some families just want to hear a thank you and nothing more comes of it.

I should find my copy of my letter and put it on my site.

Sending my love to all on this thread and I am so happy that we are all transplanted!

Thank you Marjolein<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
here you go for anyone interested in reading
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/3/11991.html?1187705769">http://www.transplantbuddies.o.../11991.html?1187705769</a>
 

EnergyGal

New member
With both transplants, I wrote my letters within two months. I wrote my second letter in the hospital and wrote it up and my Mom brought me in a beautiful blank card and gave it to my social worker. I know she kept it for a few months before giving it to the organ procurement office. I heard that my donor family would contact me but they have not. I knew that it would be a long time before I hear from them if i do.

With my first transplant, I wrote three letters and never heard a thing.

I personally feel that expressing a thank you is very important. If you write from your heart it is always beautiful and whatever words you choose to say today, will be fine.

It is not how you write but what you have to say that can make the difference to this family.

Do not worry, if the Donor family does not want to receive the letter, your letter will be kept on file. The organ procurement team usually calls the family first to find out if they care to receive the letter and they always mail your letter within another envelope so they do not see the letter unless they are ready to open it up.

Some families just want to hear a thank you and nothing more comes of it.

I should find my copy of my letter and put it on my site.

Sending my love to all on this thread and I am so happy that we are all transplanted!

Thank you Marjolein<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
here you go for anyone interested in reading
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/3/11991.html?1187705769">http://www.transplantbuddies.o.../11991.html?1187705769</a>
 

EnergyGal

New member
With both transplants, I wrote my letters within two months. I wrote my second letter in the hospital and wrote it up and my Mom brought me in a beautiful blank card and gave it to my social worker. I know she kept it for a few months before giving it to the organ procurement office. I heard that my donor family would contact me but they have not. I knew that it would be a long time before I hear from them if i do.

With my first transplant, I wrote three letters and never heard a thing.

I personally feel that expressing a thank you is very important. If you write from your heart it is always beautiful and whatever words you choose to say today, will be fine.

It is not how you write but what you have to say that can make the difference to this family.

Do not worry, if the Donor family does not want to receive the letter, your letter will be kept on file. The organ procurement team usually calls the family first to find out if they care to receive the letter and they always mail your letter within another envelope so they do not see the letter unless they are ready to open it up.

Some families just want to hear a thank you and nothing more comes of it.

I should find my copy of my letter and put it on my site.

Sending my love to all on this thread and I am so happy that we are all transplanted!

Thank you Marjolein<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
here you go for anyone interested in reading
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/3/11991.html?1187705769">http://www.transplantbuddies.o.../11991.html?1187705769</a>
 

EnergyGal

New member
With both transplants, I wrote my letters within two months. I wrote my second letter in the hospital and wrote it up and my Mom brought me in a beautiful blank card and gave it to my social worker. I know she kept it for a few months before giving it to the organ procurement office. I heard that my donor family would contact me but they have not. I knew that it would be a long time before I hear from them if i do.

With my first transplant, I wrote three letters and never heard a thing.

I personally feel that expressing a thank you is very important. If you write from your heart it is always beautiful and whatever words you choose to say today, will be fine.

It is not how you write but what you have to say that can make the difference to this family.

Do not worry, if the Donor family does not want to receive the letter, your letter will be kept on file. The organ procurement team usually calls the family first to find out if they care to receive the letter and they always mail your letter within another envelope so they do not see the letter unless they are ready to open it up.

Some families just want to hear a thank you and nothing more comes of it.

I should find my copy of my letter and put it on my site.

Sending my love to all on this thread and I am so happy that we are all transplanted!

Thank you Marjolein<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
here you go for anyone interested in reading
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/3/11991.html?1187705769">http://www.transplantbuddies.o.../11991.html?1187705769</a>
 
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