Letters

Dear Donor Family

I’m 56 years old, mother of four adult daughters, grandmother of 13 grandchildren. Since I came home from having my kidney transplant, the need to write you has been on my mind. What do I say? What words do I use?

It’s been about four months since my transplant and when I reflect on the gift of life I have been given, I tear up for I am so full of gratitude at another chance at life. To be able to continue to participate in my daughter’s and grandchildren’s lives is one of many blessings. Yet at the same time, I feel your loss and give my condolences. As a mother, I feel the pain and I can only imagine the grief. I was at 8% kidney function and had been on the transplant wait list for over three years, when … Read more »

Dear Donor Family,

I am writing to thank you for the organ donation from your loved one. I am very sorry for your loss, and I want you to know that your gift has given me a chance to live a normal, productive life.

I needed a transplant because of many years of struggling with high blood pressure. I was on dialysis for 6+ years and I am so happy to have my life back. Dialysis is literally a full time job!

Since the transplant, I have been able to do many of the things that I did as a younger man. My energy level is such that I can go about my daily activities without feeling exhausted and depressed. I am now 65 and have a completely new and joyful outlook on life! You and your loved one made it possible for me to … Read more »

Dear Donor,

Thank you for your generous gift. Not only did your selfless act impact your loved one, but you have forever changed my life for the better.

There are no words to express what your gift has meant to me. It will allow me to live not only a longer life, but the freedom to enjoy that life. You might be interested to know that your kidney immediately began working. There have been no issues, so I think your kidney knew it had a job to do and got right to work.

Because of your gift, I can enjoy my family and all the activities I love. You have my promise that I will treat your kidney as a precious gift, much beloved and cherished. And you can rest assured we will go on many adventures and live life to the fullest.

That is … Read more »

Hi there,

I’m afraid I don’t know your name, but I recieved your kidney at the end of last month. It’s the second kidney transplant I’ve had (my first was when I was five; I’m twenty-four now). I was waiting a year for a kidney, and had been on perotineal dialysis for a good portion of that year. Thanks to you, I’m off dialysis. My kidney function has never been this great (the first transplant was from my mom, and she says hers didn’t work nearly as good as yours). Aside from the usual post-transplant, post-surgery adjustments and recovery hurdles, my health is amazing.

After I’m fully recovered, I’m finally going to be able to take a vacation for the first time in a while. I’m a marine biologist from California, and I plan on getting my scuba license after the recovery during my … Read more »

Dear Donor Family, I am writing to thank you for the organ donation from your loved one. I am very sorry for your loss, and I want you to know that your gift has given me a chance to live a normal, productive life.

I needed a transplant because, my heart and kidney were failing, without your amazing gift I probably wouldn’t be here with my family. I want to thank you so much for this amazing gift of life. Since the transplant, I have been able to watch my kids grow, promote from Jr. High and enter into High school. I have been able attend family gatherings and some traveling with my wife and kids. For this, I am very grateful to you and your loved one. My family and I will always remember your act of kindness and generosity. I will cherish … Read more »

It’s been 6 months since I’ve received the kidney you donated, and I went rounds with myself as to weather I should contact you or not..while I know you did not donate for me personally, I just wanted you to know…I am grateful.

Everything is working better than even the doctors predicted. I don’t know much about you but, the doctors have told me I’m almost twice your size, and they worried it wouldn’t be able to keep up with the volume blood in a person my size. But, I’m 6 months in, no signs of rejection, and my numbers have all improved. Your (my) kidney is working like a CHAMP!

Dialysis is an unnatural (painful) thing and being off that machine is worth its weight in gold, as I’m sure you know, having someone you care about go through the same situation. I … Read more »

Dear Donor Family,

Thank you for the organ donation from your loved one. We are so sorry for your loss, but your gift has given me a chance to live again.

I needed the the transplant since I had liver cancer.

Since the transplant I’ve been able to get up and enjoy my daily life again. I love to boat and fish and can’t wait to get back out on the water.

My family is very grateful to you and your loved one. We will alway remember your act of kindness.

Thank you,

Robert and family

Dear Family of Donor,

I wanted to sincerely apologize for the loss of your loved one. Through your loss, I was given life. I truly and sincerely appreciate the gift of the donated liver, which has given me my life back. I would not have survived without the donated liver.

To briefly discuss my medical situation, I thought I had caught the flu but instead it was a virus. The virus began by attacking my liver to the point where I was put on dialysis for 100% of my body because all of my organs began to shut down. The doctors stated that if I did not receive a liver within one week I would not make it and that my family should begin to say their good byes.

I was placed in the number one slot for a liver transplant in three … Read more »

Dearest Donor Family,

I am writing this letter to thank you for you amazing gift to me. I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine the difficulty of the decision to donate while in grief for your loved one.

Your generous gift has given me a new life! I feel better than I have in over 15 years. Words can barely express how grateful I am.

I had primary biliary cirrhosis or PBC. I was first diagnosed 10 years ago. They tell me as of yet they have no definitive cause for this disease. It sure came as a shock to me. A month ago I was thinking that my life expectancy was grim. Now I have a new life, thanks to you and your amazing gift.

I call my new liver ‘my lil buddy’ … silly, I know, but … Read more »

Dear Organ Donor Family,

I want to personally offer my condolences and thank you for your family member’s gift of life. I have been on a transplant list for some time and was blessed with a call on Thursday, March 2, 2017, and informed that a perfect match was available for me. This blessing has given me a new life and a chance for him to live on through me.

I am a retired director of a San Francisco Head Start service for children and families. I will do my best to continue giving back to the community and preservation of life in honor of this gift. Your family member will always be remembered as the true hero that he was.

Again, thank you for this gift and may every day be a blessing and a comfort knowing that he is living through … Read more »