Should I? Should'nt I?

sidneykidney

Here's my story,well the very short version.
I was on kidney dialysis for 10 years until December of last year.
I was lucky enough to recieve a kidney transplant this time last year.
I was thinking now that the first anniversary is approaching that i would like to forward a thank you letter to the donor family through the hospital(none of my details are ever given to preserve their privacy and mine). My question is really,should i not bother now that it's been so long since the loss of there loved one has passed?
Or will it be of some comfort to them to hear that there brave decision in donating has totally changed my life for the better?
Any replies are most welcome thanks in advance.

Bendihorse

I would def send a card, im sure the doners family would be very touched by it.

The Hill Billy

OP - However hard it may be for the donor's family I am sure that they would very much like to know how much you appreciate what their loved one did for you. Maybe the guys & gals in Long Term Illnesses may be able to advise you better though.

Merry Christmas to you & your kidney!

biko

sidneykidney wrote: »

Or will it be of some comfort to them to hear that there brave decision in donating has totally changed my life for the better?

This one.
Their thoughts will be with the donor anyway.

Dragan

If i lost a loved one and i received a card from someone telling me that an organ they had donated had completely changed someones elses life that would be a fantastic thing.

Might just be me though.

How Strange

I think it's a great idea. As others have said, I'm sure the donor's family would be touched to see that some good has come out of their tragedy. I think that alone would be comfort to them. I know it would be to me if I were in that situation.

thecleverone

Might just be me though

Nope, i'm with you on this one. I would definately send a card. It would be a lovely sentiment.

Have a lovely xmas.

clawsthefirst

A good friend lost her daughter last year, organs were donated. She took huge strenght and comfort from this, so I'd say yes go for it.

tbh

do it

Sangre

Definitely. Its not like you rejecting the organ would have saved them.

Drift

You most definitely should. It will show the family how grateful you are for their gift. They will be delighted.

Lux23

Dragan wrote: »

If i lost a loved one and i received a card from someone telling me that an organ they had donated had completely changed someones elses life that would be a fantastic thing.

Might just be me though.

I agree with that. I know they may have gone through alot but I think it can be a comfort to people to think a sudden death of a loved one has changed someone else's life.

Beruthiel

Do it.
I think it would mean a lot to know that their death brought life to someone else.

t_ucd

Definitely send it!

bill_ashmount

I think if I was in their position I would love to receive a card. Let them know that something good has come from it. Spread the love

sidneykidney

Thanks for the replies. It was a silly question really but i didnt want to open up the donor family's grief again.:)

nialo

Definitely do it. dont expect a reply but it is a lovely thought.

Miss Fluff

sidneykidney wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. It was a silly question really but i didnt want to open up the donor family's grief again.:)

Not a silly question at all, can understand why you would want to run it by people. I think it is really thoughtful though and should give huge strength to your donor's family. Such a nice sentiment.:)

Your username is TOO cute btw:)

boffin

My cousin died three years ago and her parents donated her organs. On the first anniversary of her death her parents received a card from the hospital (which had been given to them by the person who recived her kidney.) It just said how much their life had changed and how thankful they were. My aunt and uncle were really gratefully for the card and appreciated how hard it was for the person to write.

I would recommend you send one.

Pigletlover

Definitely do it, this time of year for them, but I'm sure they will find comfort that the death of their loved one changed somenone else's life for the better.

r3nu4l

That's an absolutely great idea! Fantastic. Go for it. I would love it if I thought someone was still alive or had an improved quality of life thanks to someone I knew donating an organ.

Dizzyblonde

Definitely send one, they'll be delighted and it will comfort them.

Quality

I think it would be a great comfort to them....

They will be happy to know that things are working out for you..

Stargal

My dad had a liver transplant over ten years ago and he sent a letter to the donor's family about a year later. I may be mis-remembering this but I think that he gave it to the hospital and they told the donor's family about it, so they had the option of choosing whether or not they wanted to read it.

In his letter my dad thanked the family and the donor and told them a bit about his life and how he was getting on after the transplant. I got the impression that it was really good for him to write it, and hopefully it was of some comfort to the donor's family.

I always thought it was a great idea and think you should definitely go for it OP. Let us know how it goes

ttaylor

Do it! My mother received a transplant over two years ago after waiting ten years also. She sent the Donor family a thank you card. Since then, both families send cards on Birthdays, Christmas, Easter etc.

The Donor's family really appreciated the fact that she still remembers them and even though they lost a loved one, part of them continues to live on.

Congratulations on your new lease of life!

muboop1

sidneykidney wrote: »

Here's my story,well the very short version.
I was on kidney dialysis for 10 years until December of last year.
I was lucky enough to recieve a kidney transplant this time last year.
I was thinking now that the first anniversary is approaching that i would like to forward a thank you letter to the donor family through the hospital(none of my details are ever given to preserve their privacy and mine). My question is really,should i not bother now that it's been so long since the loss of there loved one has passed?
Or will it be of some comfort to them to hear that there brave decision in donating has totally changed my life for the better?
Any replies are most welcome thanks in advance.

a minor one do it may be, that their childs life at least while it went could save yours... its probably one of the best comforts you cna have in the aftermath...

and you probably arent the only person saved... at least something good came of their misery... most people can see the good in that... and if they cant now, they will eventully! plus since its been a year likelyhood is it will be all brought up anyway... so the tears will shed regardless...

id do it, just be carefull how you word it!

sidneykidney

Thanks for all the comments. I have sent a letter describing my life both before and after the transplant.
I hope the family gain some kind of peace knowing there brave decision changed my life.