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BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING

Every year more than 1200 individuals and their families give the most precious gift of life to help others in need. Their strength and courage allows the Indiana Lions Eye & Tissue Transplant Bank to bring a message of giving, service and hope to our communities. Donor families who are our friends and neighbors continue to help us improve and save lives throughout Indiana by volunteering and by sharing their stories and offering hope for others.

ILETTB Aftercare Program

A Letter to the Family
Within two weeks after donation, a letter is sent to the family thanking them for their gift and we provide further information for the family about the donation.

sampleDonor Medallion
This medallion is sent to our donor families as a small token of our appreciation to them for the selfless gift of life they have given to others they may never meet.

Donor Memorial Service
Each year we have an intimate gathering to remember and honor donors and their families through this special ceremony. This ceremony includes a remembrance table, inspirational speakers who have walked the same path of grief that our donor families are currently traveling and thankful recipients of their gift.

Support Links

  • The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families
    This website gives information to provide support locally to individuals seeking to assist children in grief.
  • The Compassionate Friends This website is about transforming the pain of grief into the elixir of hope. It takes people out of the isolation that society may impose upon them and allows them to express their grief naturally.
  • Bereaved Parents of the USA This website was founded in 1995 by a group of bereaved parents across the country. Their sole purpose is to offer support, understanding, encouragement and hope to other bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents after the death of their loved ones.
  • Grief Loss Recovery This website is to provide hope and health through creative grieving.
  • Center for Loss & Life Transition This site is dedicated to companioning grieving people as they mourn transitions and losses that transform their lives.
  • Journey of Hearts An online healing place for anyone grieving a loss.

Communication

Many donor families would like to communicate with each other. We have provided a few suggestions to help this process.
 
Writing to your Donor Family
As donor families grieve in different ways, your letter should be sensitive to their loss. In your letter you may include the following:

  • An expression of sympathy to your donor family for their loss.
  • An expression of your appreciation for their gift to you.
  • Information about yourself, your family, your life and hobbies without using your full name or address for confidentiality purposes.
  • How your life was changed through their gift to you.
Writing to a Transplant Recipient
The decision to write to your recipient can be a helpful part of the healing process for you. There is no right or wrong way to communicate with your recipient. There are no specific timelines to complete this letter and it is your personal decision to do so.
  • In some instances donor families will reach out to their recipients and they do not receive a letter in return. This is not because the recipients are not thankful; they have a lot of gratitude towards their donors. Many times it is just difficult for them to respond knowing they have a better life because of your gift.
  • Your letter can include information regarding your loved one’s life, interests, hobbies, age and your family without using any full names or addresses for confidentiality purposes.
Please send your letters to:
Indiana Lions Eye & Tissue Transplant Bank
727 E. 86th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46240

For more information or help, please contact Dianne Hansen.