Correspondence
For donor families, the decision to write to a cornea recipient is a personal choice. Sometimes an eye donor family wants to share information about their loved one and may find that this correspondence helps in the grieving process. Read this story from one of our donor families to learn about the difference correspondence can make.
The identities of all cornea recipients and donor families are kept confidential. Heartland Lions Eye Banks accept correspondence from both recipients and donor families, then forwards these cards or letters to the appropriate party. This keeps the exchange anonymous.
To request more information on writing to a cornea recipient, please call the Eye Bank at 1-800-753-2265, ext. 8530.
Guidelines
The Eye Bank policy is designed to provide compassionate and considerate guidelines for correspondence between donor families and recipients. The Eye Bank will transfer anonymous correspondence between donor families and recipients for as long as both parties are agreeable.
Heartland Lions Eye Banks (HLEB), a division of Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation (MLERF), has determined that the exchange of identities and information between and regarding the parties involved in a cornea transplant by mutual consent does not constitute an invasion of privacy and can be in the best interest of everyone involved. However, HLEB/MLERF will only release information when both the recipient and the donor's family/friends have corresponded for no less than 12 months following the donation, and request such an exchange of information. Disclosure of identifying information must be agreed upon by both parties in order for any release of information to occur. Both parties must sign and return an authorization that releases HLEB/MLERF and any involved healthcare providers from liability and damages that may arise from the exchange of identities and information. Further, HLEB/MLERF retains full and total discretion regarding the provision of information about the parties involved in cornea transplants it coordinates and may, regardless of request and mutual authorization, decline to disclose information.
To request more information on writing to a cornea recipient, please call the Eye Bank at 1-800-753-2265, ext. 8530.
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