This leaflet is about writing to your kidney recipient. It will provide information about who can write, information that can be included and where to send the letter. Along with guidance on social media.
Writing to your kidney recipient
Thank you for your kind donation! Over time you may wish to make contact with your kidney recipient, but knowing how to start the conversation can be difficult. We know that on the whole recipients and their families greatly value correspondence and are intrigued to find out more about their donor.
Following your donation the live donor co-ordinators can provide you with basic information about your recipient such as age and gender. This is sometimes enough for some donors but if you would like to write to your recipient and wish them well, we can facilitate this via the live donor team.
This leaflet will provide guidance should you wish to write to your recipient, and we can provide a template letter to get you started. It is your choice whether or not you write and the timing of the letter should be whenever you feel ready.
It is important to point out that the recipient of your kidney may have been provided with some information about you as a donor, this will only be basic information such as your approximate age and gender.
In order to maintain confidentiality we request that you do not include your surname or address in the letter or make reference to your donation happening in Leeds.
Social Media
We are aware that some donors have made contact with their recipient via social media but we ask that you do not do this. Your live donor team can guide you on how to contact your recipient in a controlled and safe manner.
Occasionally some of our donors wish to share their story and experience on social media. Sharing details about yourself and your donation may make you identifiable to your recipient.
Important
We ask that you do not post anything that could reveal your identity as a donor.
This includes:
– The date and time of your donation
– The name of the hospital where you have donated
– Any recipient information you may be aware of
Please also advise your relatives and friends to be cautious about their announcement of your news.
If you are approached by any newspaper, radio or television outlets please contact the live renal donor co-ordinators for advice.
We are happy for you to share your news and experience but in a sensitive manner. If you would like to be involved in any promotion of organ donation or would like to share your story at future teaching sessions or events please speak to a member of the live donor team, who will be happy to advise you.
Information to include in your letter
It can be difficult to know what to include in your letter. The information most often included is your experience of donating and how you are feeling after your surgery and well wishes to the recipient.
What to do with your letter
When you have written your letter, please do not seal the envelope. Send it with a covering letter to:
Live Renal Transplant Co-ordinators
We will read through the letter and forward it onto the
co-ordinator looking after your recipient. Your letter will then be passed on to the recipient when they are ready to receive it.
The majority of recipients really enjoy receiving a letter from their donor and are interested to know more about you. However, it is is worth noting that not all donors receive a reply from their recipient.
Frequently asked questions
Why does communication between me and my recipient need to be monitored?
It can difficult to know where to start when contacting your recipient for the first time. Allowing your co-ordinator to facilitate the sharing of information allows us to ensure this is done in a safe way to protect you as the donor.
We also ask that you do not share:
- The date and time of donation
- The name of the hospital where you donated
- Any recipient information you may be aware of
This is because it makes you more identifiable as a donor should your recipient or their family want to try and make contact outside of the recommended process.
Can my family share information on social media?
We would ask that your family and friends adhere to the same rules as you when sharing information on social media. Social media is a public platform and links can easily be made to you as the donor.
Can I meet my recipient?
We can facilitate you meeting your recipient, but would not usually do this until after a period of written communication and only if both parties have expressed wanting to meet.
Initial meetings are usually done as a group with you and your co-ordinator and the recipient and their co-ordinator.