Communication with Transplant Recipients

At Midwest Transplant Network, we facilitate communication between donor families and their loved one’s recipients. The decision to write your loved one’s recipients is a personal decision and completely your choice.

If you wish to write a letter to a transplant recipient, here are some suggestions on what to include in your communication, as well as important information about the mailing process:

Examples of General Information to Include

Use loved one’s first name only
His or her job or occupation
His or her hobbies or interests
Your family situation, such as marital status, children or grandchildren (if you provide names, use first names only)
Treat religious comments in a sensitive manner
You may include photographs of your family and your loved one

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 or physician involved

Sending Your Card or Letter

Place it in an unsealed envelope
Include in the envelope on a separate piece of paper:
- Your full name
- Your loved one’s name
- Date of the donation

Place these items inside another envelope and mail to:

Midwest Transplant Network, Inc.

Donor Family Services

1900 W. 47th Place, Suite 100

Westwood, KS 66205

Please allow a few weeks for your letter to reach the transplant recipient. Our Donor Family Services Coordinator will review your card or letter to ensure confidentiality and forward it to the appropriate clinical transplant coordinator, who will then send it to the transplant recipient.

Will I hear from my loved one’s transplant recipient?

Your loved one’s transplant recipient may or may not respond. Many transplant recipients have said that they are overwhelmed with emotion and have difficulty expressing their gratitude. It is possible they may not reply at all.

Communicating Directly

If you wish to communicate directly with your loved one’s transplant recipient, Midwest Transplant Network can help facilitate your request if the following conditions have been met:

Each party has written to the other at least one time anonymously
Both parties have expressed a desire to have non-anonymous communication
Both parties have signed and notarized the designated release form and returned it to Midwest Transplant Network

For more information about communication with transplant recipients or to obtain a designated release form, please contact us.

1900 W. 47th Place, Suite 400
Westwood, KS 66205
913-262-1668