Ways to get Involved
Southwest Transplant Alliance works to fulfill the gift of life throughout our service area in Texas. We stand alongside the generous donors and their families who make the decision to give and we work diligently to ensure we save as many lives as possible.
STA provides opportunities and resources to transplant recipients to get involved with our uniquely special community.
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You may feel motivated to share how your life has been affected by the generosity of donation. That testimonial can be a powerful resource for people unsure about organ and tissue donation. Click here to share your story!
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Our volunteer advocate program empowers anyone who supports organ and tissue donation to be a beacon of hope in their community. We provide the training, tools and programs to help you spread the word about the power of donating life! Click here for more information.
Connecting with Your Donor Family
Our Donor Family Support Team facilitates correspondence between the families we serve and the recipients of their loved one’s gifts. These connections can be deeply meaningful for both families and recipients.
Many families appreciate hearing from their loved one’s recipients, even if they are not ready to respond right away. Letters can reassure them that their loved one’s gift made a meaningful difference. Families are often comforted by expressions of gratitude and acknowledgment of their loss. Even a simple thank you is meaningful and appreciated.
You may choose whether to disclose your identity in your letter. Southwest Transplant Alliance does not redact identifying information; however, some recovery organizations and transplant hospitals may follow different privacy guidelines.
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Open your card or letter with “Dear Donor Family,”
Acknowledge and express sympathy for the family’s loss (e.g., “I offer my condolences for the loss of your loved one.”)
Express gratitude for the gift of life or improved health (e.g., “I would like to offer my sincere gratitude for this gift.”)
Share any information about yourself that you are comfortable including, such as your occupation, hobbies, family, interests, or what led to your need for a transplant
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The donor’s family may not be ready to respond. However, knowing the positive impact donation has had on your life is often a great source of comfort. In that way, your letter can be a meaningful gift in return.
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Please send your letter to your transplant center. They will forward it to the organization that supported your donor’s family, which may or may not have been STA.
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Please feel free to contact your transplant center directly with any questions. If you need further assistance, you are also welcome to contact STA’s Donor Family Support Team at familycare@organ.org or 844-857-7272.
Transplant Recipient Resources
Transplant Living: A resource site for patients from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
National Kidney Foundation: Resources and support information for kidney patients