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Writing to Donor Families

Network for Hope supports written correspondence between recipients and donor families. Donor families and recipients have found that communicating can be healing and comforting. A thank you letter or a greeting card from a recipient may bring comfort to a donor family.

The decision to send correspondence is a very personal one, and there is no timeline. If you would like to write to your donor’s family, we encourage you to do so. All correspondence is completely anonymous and identities are kept confidential.

What May I Include in My Card or Letter?

You may provide general, non-identifiable information, including:

  • Your first name and the first names of family members (please do not include last names)
  • Your occupation, hobbies, or interests
  • Your age
  • The state in which you live in (please do not include the city)
  • Information about your life and your family (ex: marital status, children, grandchildren, pets, etc.)
  • General information about the reason you were in need of a life-saving transplant
  • The impact that transplant has had on your life, including activities you can now enjoy, how your health has improved, important life milestones you have witnessed, and your hope for your future

Please note: Since the religion of your donor’s family is unknown, please consider this when making religious comments.

Where Do I Send My Card or Letter?

Mail your letter to the office nearest you:

Network for Hope
Attn: Family Aftercare
10301 Linn
Station Rd .,
Louisville, KY
40223

Network for Hope
Attn: Family Aftercare
615 Elsinore Pl.,
Suite 400,
Cincinnati, OH
45202

You may also email a typed letter to Aftercare@NetworkForHope.org

When mailing your correspondence, please include the following information on a separate piece of paper, to assist us with identifying your donor’s family:

  • Your full name
  • Date of your transplant
  • Name of your transplant hospital
  • The type of organ you received

What Happens Next?

Network for Hope will review your correspondence to ensure confidentiality and will then begin the process of forwarding it. Since your correspondence must be mailed to Network for Hope first and then forwarded, please keep in mind it may take extra time for your letter to reach your donor’s family. It may take several weeks after you’ve mailed it for your donor’s family to receive it.

It is important to understand that you may or may not receive a response. Many donor families have said that they are overwhelmed with emotion and have difficulty expressing their feelings. Others may take several months or even years before they feel comfortable writing to their loved one’s recipients.

Saint Joseph Health (Lexington)
Tuesday, April 29, at 12 p.m.
Baptist Health - Paducah
Wednesday, April 30, at 11 a.m. CST
All-Day Golf Tournament – Marshall University School of Medicine
Tuesday, April 29
Good Samaritan Hospital (Cincinnati)
Monday, April 28, at 10 a.m.
Location: Flag pole outside Dixmyth entrance
UK HealthCare Wall Ceremony
Saturday, April 26, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
National Pediatric Transplant Week
(Trust Website)
April 20 – April 26
Mercy Health - Clermont Hospital
Friday, April 25, at 11:30 a.m.
Location: Lobby
UofL Health - Mary & Elizabeth
Friday, April 25, at 11:30 a.m.
Location: Flag pole
UK Softball Donate Life Game
Friday, April 25
National Pediatric Transplant Week
(Trust Website)
April 20 – April 26
Bethesda North Hospital
Thursday, April 24, at 12 p.m.
Location: In front of Chapel, near main elevators
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
Thursday, April 24, at 10:00 a.m. CST
Missing Event
Thursday, April 24
National Pediatric Transplant Week
(Trust Website)
April 20 – April 26
Missing Event
Wednesday, April 23
National Pediatric Transplant Week
(Trust Website)
April 20 – April 26
Clinton Memorial Hospital
Tuesday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m.
National Pediatric Transplant Week
(Trust Website)
April 20 – April 26
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Monday, April 21, at 12 p.m.
Location: Sabin Auditorium
National Pediatric Transplant Week
(Trust Website)
April 20 – April 26
National Pediatric Transplant Week
(Trust Website)
April 20 – April 26
Baptist Health Floyd
Friday, April 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Flag pole
Norton Audubon Hospital
Friday, April 18, at 1 p.m.
Norton Children's Hospital
Thursday, April 17, at 1 p.m.
The Jewish Hospital (Mercy Health in Kenwood)
Wednesday, April 16, at 11 a.m.
Location: Flag pole at ED Bay
St. Elizabeth Health
Wednesday, April 16, at 2:30 p.m.
Location: Training and Education Center
Baptist Hardin Hospital
Tuesday, April 15, at 11 a.m.
Location: Flag Pole
Bethesda Butler Hospital
Tuesday, April 15, at 2:30 p.m.
Location: Lobby
Mercy Health - Anderson Hospital
Tuesday, April 15, at 12 p.m.
Location: Lobby
Cincinnati Reds / Jackie Robinson Series
Tuesday, April 15 at 6:40 p.m.
Share Your Decision Day
Saturday, April 12
Living Liver Donor Awareness - Cincinnati Reds
Friday, April 11
The Christ Hospital Health Network
Friday, April 11, at 10 a.m.
Location: Main Lobby
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Friday, April 11, at 2 p.m.
Location: Gardner Neuroscience Institute
Fleming County Hospital
Friday, April 11, at 2 p.m.
Meadowview Regional Medical Center
Friday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m.
Donate Life Blue & Green Day
Friday, April 11
National Donate Life Blue & Green Day
Friday, April 11
Living Liver Foundation Presents Living Donor Day
Friday, April 11
Create Donate Life Art
Thursday, April 10
Cincinnati Children’s Pediatric Panel
Thursday, April 10
McCullough Hyde Hospital
Thursday, April 10 at 9 a.m.
Pikeville Medical Center
Thursday, April 10 at 10 a.m.
Location: Flag Pole
Mercy Health - Kings Mill Hospital
Thursday, April 10, at 12 p.m.
Location: Lobby
Norton Clark Hospital (IN)
Thursday, April 10 at 12 p.m.
UK Softball Donate Life Game
Wednesday, April 9
Donate Life Flag Raising Day
Wednesday, April 9
UofL Health and UofL Health
Wednesday, April 9, at 12 p.m.
Location: Jewish Campus
UK HealthCare at UK Softball
Wednesday, April 9, at 6 p.m.
Location: John Cropp Stadium
Write A Message of Hope
Tuesday, April 8
Thank Your Healthcare Team
Monday, April 7
Make Blue & Green Treats
Sunday, April 6
FC Cincinnati Entitlement Game vs. New England
Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m.
UK Softball Donate Life Game
Saturday, April 5
Blue & Green Spirit Week Kickoff
Saturday, April 5
Dess Up Your Pet Day
Saturday, April 5
Cabell Huntington Hospital
Thursday, April 3, at 9 a.m.
Location: Huntington, WV
Saint Mary's Medical Center
Thursday, April 3, at 11:00 a.m.
Location: Huntington, WV
Donate Life Living Donor Day
Wednesday, April 2
Mercy Health - West Hospital
Wednesday, April 2, at 11 a.m.
Location: T-level auditorium
UC West Chester Hospital
Wednesday, April 2, at 1:00 p.m.
Mercy Health - Fairfield Hospital
Tuesday, April 1 at 11:30 p.m.
Location: Flag pole