Supporting our cornea recipients
Congratulations on your gift of sight! We at SightLife are honored and humbled to have played a role in restoring your vision. The links at right can tell you about others who have also received a cornea transplant or help you contact the family of the person who gave the ultimate gift so you could see.
We love to hear from people we've been able to help. If you'd like to share your story with us, please contact our Donor Relations Manager by calling 206-682-8500 (toll-free at 1-800-847-5786) or by writing to:
Donor Relations Manager
SightLife
221 Yale Ave N, Suite 450
Seattle, WA 98109-5490
Cornea Recipient Stories
SightLife cornea recipients range in age from 2 weeks to 98 years. They are just as diverse in skin color, interests, and income, but each has a strong bond in common — deep appreciation for the kindness of the donor who gave them the gift of sight. See the links below to read some of their stories.
Writing to your donor family
Donor family members often tell SightLife that they find much comfort in knowing their loved one's donation has improved others' lives. They also enjoy learning about those who received their loved one's corneas. If you are a cornea recipient or the parent of a child who received a cornea, we encourage you to write to your donor family through us at SightLife. We realize that the decision to write is a very personal one. Click here to read a cornea recipient’s letter to a donor family. Below are some helpful suggestions to keep in mind if you choose to do so.
- Keep identities anonymous and confidential by using first names only. Avoid including street addresses, phone numbers, e-mails, city names, or names of hospitals and physicians.
- Write about yourself. Include information about your family, friends, occupation, hobbies and interests, and the state (not city) in which you live.
- Write about your transplant experience. You may want to include why your transplant was necessary and how it improved your quality of life.
- You may want to acknowledge the donor family and thank them for their gift.
- Since the religion of the donor family is unknown, please consider this if you are including religious comments.
- Sign your first name only.
- Place your letter in an unsealed envelope. Include on a separate sheet of paper your full name, the date of your transplant, and the name of your cornea transplant physician. Send to:
SightLife
Attention: Donor Relations Manager
221 Yale Ave N, Suite 450
Seattle, WA 98109-5490
Keep in mind…
Although most donor families welcome correspondence from recipients, they are coping with the loss of their loved one and are still in the grieving process. Please communicate in a sensitive manner. Some donor families may respond right away while others may choose not to write at this time. The Donor Relations Manager will review all letters to ensure confidentiality and then forward them to the donor family. Sometimes families move out of the area and cannot be reached. If this happens, you will be notified. Please allow extra time in the event your correspondence is time sensitive.
Share your story
Has a cornea transplant changed your or a loved one's life? Would you like to let the world know the difference your transplant has made? Then we would love to hear from you!
We're always looking for stories to share.
Here are some questions to help you get started:
- How has this transplant affected your life?
- How did you feel before your transplant? What were your expectations for the future?
- What can you do now that you couldn't do before your transplant?
