Many cornea transplant recipients who have benefited from the generous gift of sight feel that a personal letter or card from their donor's family helped them appreciate their gift even more.

As a service to donor families, the Eye-Bank acts as an intermediary between donor families and corneal transplant recipients wishing to communicate with each other. To protect the privacy of both parties, we must forward letters or cards anonymously, unless both parties sign a confidentiality waiver that allows identities to be revealed.   

When we receive correspondence from a donor family intended for a recipient, we review the document to ensure confidentiality, and then attempt to contact the recipient privately. If successful, we ask the recipient if she or he would like to receive the correspondence, and forward it only with her or his permission. Occasionally, recipients may send a note back to the donor family; however, in many cases, they find it hard to express their gratitude in writing, or may not be able to write back due to poor health or other personal reasons.   

Suggestions for Writing 

• Anytime is a good time to write. Whether it has been weeks or months since the loss of your loved one, recipients are grateful to hear from you.
• Using only first names, tell them something special or unique about your loved one and family in a letter or a “Thinking of You” card.
• You may want to write about your decision to donate the gift of sight.
• Be sensitive regarding religious comments and views since the recipient's religion is unknown. 
• Please sign only your first name. Do not use last names, street addresses, city names, phone numbers, or names of hospitals or physicians.
• Place your letter or card in an unsealed envelope.
• Include a separate note to the Eye-Bank with your request to mail the communication to the recipient. We will need your full name and the full name of the donor as well as the date of death.
•  Mail both pieces in one envelope to the Eye-Bank (click here for mailing addresses).