Writing to Recipients: A guide for the family members of donors

As a donor family member, you may wish to communicate with the recipient(s) who benefited from your loved one’s donation. For some, writing to the recipients and sharing bits of information about your loved one can sometimes be a comfort and is also highly meaningful to recipients.

It is important to note that you may not receive returned correspondence from your loved one’s recipients. While some recipients may respond immediately, others may need more time, and some may choose to never write back.

If the recipient does reply, VisionGift will continue to forward your letters back and forth. We protect the identity of both donor families and recipients. If a day comes when both you and the donor family want to communicate directly, VG will guide you in that process.

If you would like to write a letter to the recipient of your loved one’s donation, please use the following guidelines as recommended by the National Donor Family Council.

Information you can include in your letter

  • You and/or your loved one’s first name, occupation, hobbies, and interests. Please do not include any last names in the actual letter.
  • Special things your loved one liked to do.
  • The state where you live.
  • How the donation experience impacted your life. (What donation means to you).
  • Do not get too personal in the initial letter.
  • If you wish, you may include a photo of your loved one.
  • Please do not include any contact information in your actual letter (phone, address, email, etc.)

Mailing your card or letter

  • Place the card or letter to your donor family in an unsealed envelope. (We do our best to scan the letter and save prior to sending)
  • On a separate sheet of paper, please write your full name, your loved one’s name, and the date of their passing.
  • Place both your letter and that piece of paper in another envelope, seal it and mail it to:

VisionGift
Attn: Matt Webber
2201 SE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214

Emailing your letter

  • Email your letter as an attachment.
  • In the body of your email, please write your full name, your loved one’s name, and the date of their passing.
  • Send your letter to: matt@visiongift.org