Faces of Donation

Follow this link to view the Faces of Donation page.

Writing to Transplant Recipients

The decision to write to a transplant recipient is a very personal one. As a family member of a donor, you may or may not decide to write a note to the transplant recipients. The North Carolina Eye Bank will honor any decision you make. All letters are reviewed by our family care coordinator to ensure confidentiality and facilitate forwarding your correspondence to the appropriate person. 

Some recipients may respond by sending a letter or card. Other recipients may choose not to respond to you at that time. Remember that writing is a very personal decision. Many transplant recipients have said they feel overwhelmed with emotion and have difficulty expressing their gratitude in writing.

Suggestions for your letter:

  • Write about information that makes you feel comfortable
  • Write about your loved one who donated or other family members
  • Hobbies, interests, special things your loved one liked to do
  • Information about your family
  • Only include first names of family members or loved ones
  • Sign only first name in your letter
  • Do not include address, or phone number
  • Place in as unsealed envelope
  • On a separate sheet of paper write the name of your loved one


After you have completed your card or letter:

Mail to:
The North Carolina Eye Bank
3900 Westpoint Blvd., Suite F
Winston-Salem, NC  27103
Atten: Family Care Coordinator

 

Grief Counseling Links
Alive Alone...Benefit Bereaved Parents
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Bereaved Parents USA
Grief Counseling
National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
Rainbows...Helping Children Grieve

 

Grief Library

A list of books you might find helpful during this difficult time.

Adult Grief
Understanding Your Grieving Heart - By: Mary M. Wong
I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye - By: Brook Noel and Pamela D. Blair, Ph.D
A Guide for the Bereaved Survivor - By: Robert Baugher, Ph.D. and Marc Calija

Teenage Grief
Fire In My Heart, Ice In My Veins - By: Enid Samuel - Traisman, M.S.W.
I Remember, I Remember - By: Enid Samuel - Traisman, M.S.W.
My Grieving Journey Book - By: Donna and Eve Shavatt

Loss of a Child
Healing a Parent's Grieving Heart - By: Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.
The Death of a Child - By: Elaine E. Stillwell
Dear Parents - By: The Centering Corporation

Loss of a Parent
I Heard Your Daddy Died - By: Mark Scrivani
Finding Your Way After Your Parent Dies - By: Richard Gilbert
Motherless Daughters - By: Hope Edelman

Suicide
Someone I Love Died By Suicide - By: Doreen Cammarata
Suicide of a Child - By: Adina Wrobleski
Suicide: Survivors - By Adina Wrobleski

Men's Grief
When a Man Faces Grief - By: Thomas R. Golden and James E. Miller 
Healing a Father's Grief - By: William H. Schatz
Cowbells and Courage - By: Patrick W. Page

Children's Grief
Lifetimes - By: Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen
Water bugs and Dragonflies - By: Doris Stickney
The Next Place - By: Warren Hanson