Lucas, Eye Tissue Recipient
Four-year-old Lucas of Marysville, faced possible blindness in his right eye, from the day he was born. A dermatoid — a growth the size of a pea — severely impaired his vision. But, thanks to donated eye tissue, his eyesight has returned. Now Lucas, an active and fun-loving kindergartner, can see clearly and enjoy his world of bikes, superheroes and Legos.
Share The Light – Saying Thank You
“Share the Light” allows cornea recipients to say “thank you” to the donors who selflessly have given the gift of sight.
If you are a cornea recipient, you may choose to write to your donor’s family to express your gratitude for the generosity of their loved one’s gift. This “Share the Light” information is designed to help you in composing a note of thanks to your donor family who has lost a loved one. Many donor families have said a card or personal note from the recipient offers great comfort and is cherished by them.
Following sight-giving surgery, some recipients find it difficult to adequately express their thanks. Based on our experience, just a simple “thank you” note can provide real solace and healing to your donor’s family.
And so, we encourage you to participate in this “Share the Light” project by sending an electronic message (see below), greeting card or personal letter to your donor family. All correspondence is completely anonymous and identities are kept confidential unless both parties agree to they wish to reveal their identifying information.
Below is a guide to help you compose your correspondence of thanks.
We hope that your words will help reinforce the importance of corneal donation, eye banking and vision research within our community. With your help, Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank and your eye surgeon can continue to provide state of the art eye care for all patients.
Thank you for your participation in relaying thanks to those who helped provide you with the gift of sight.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank department of Family Services at eyebank@dcids.org or either 877-811-1256 or 800-435-5780.
Composing Your Thank You
- Begin by expressing your condolences on the death of their loved one.
- Express your gratitude for the gift of sight.
- Your general occupation or whether you are attending school.
- Your marital status, children or grandchildren, brothers, sisters, etc… (do not include last names).
- Share your hobbies or interests that you are now able to enjoy because of your transplant.
- Explain how the transplant has changed your life.
- Since the religion of the donor’s family is unknown, please consider this before you include religious comments.
- Sign your first name only
- Please do not reveal your address, phone number, or email address.
- Please do not reveal the name of your physician.
Sample Letter
Dear Donor Family:
I am writing to say thank you to you and your loved one, for your kind and generous gift of sight. I am so sorry for your loss and while I know that my gratitude does not erase your pain, I want you to know how much this gift means to me.
I needed a cornea transplant because…
After receiving the transplant I am now able to…
For this, I am forever grateful to you and your loved one. Your compassion, kindness, and generosity will always be remembered.
Thank you,
Your first name only
Will My Donor Family Write Back?
You may or may not hear from your donor family.
Some donor family members have said that writing about their loved one and their decision to donate helps in the grieving process. Other donor families, although comfortable with their decision to donate, prefer privacy and choose not to respond. Still, others may take several months or years before they feel comfortable responding.
Email or Mail Your Thank You
OR write your Thank You in a card or letter, print out the form below and place both in an envelope addressed to:
Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank
3940 Industrial Blvd.
West Sacramento, CA 95691