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Donor Family/Recipient Correspondence | Gift of Hope Donor Quilt
Inspirations: Tribute Book | Programs & Getting Involved | Reference
Being involved with a loved one’s decision to donate life and receiving the gift of hope through transplantation are life-changing experiences.
Through our Donor Family Services staff, we provide ongoing information to families about their loved ones’ organ and tissue donations, and offer support through remembrance ceremonies and other programs. We also facilitate communication between families of donors and the recipients of their loved ones’ gifts who choose to correspond with one another.
During the first 18 months after a family’s loss, we provide a series of communications to donor families. One of the most important letters will come to families about six weeks after the donation—a letter that provides general information about the recipients and how they are doing. For families of tissue donors, we provide information on the process that takes place from the time of donation to the time that donated tissues are provided for transplant.
We also work closely with our Donor Family Advisory Council, which is made up of family members of organ and tissue donors who meet quarterly to advise us on our services to families.
Every year Gift of Hope’s donor families and friends gather for a special day of hope and remembrance to honor their loved ones who became organ/tissue donors. This year, more than 700 people attended on September 12, to hear inspiring stories and view a memorial presentation. To see the videos from this extraordinary day, click here.
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Expressions of Hope
Expressions of Hope crafts a special organ and tissue donation bracelet of sterling silver pieces and Swarovski crystals—and earmarks a percentage of proceeds from each bracelet purchased to benefit donation education programs through Gift of Hope. For more information, click here.
Memorializing Your Loved One
Lithophanes are a unique way to memorialize and honor your loved one. A lithophane takes a photo of your loved one and etches it into translucent porcelain, so when it is held up to light, your loved one's photo comes alive in beautiful detail. For more information, click here.
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At any time we can help, please contact our Donor Family Services staff at 630/758-2717. To contact Diane Schmitz, Donor Family Services Coordinator,
e-mail her at dschmitz@giftofhope.org.
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