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AFTERCARE PROGRAM FOR DONOR FAMILIES
KODA’s Aftercare Program is a continuation of the care given to donor
families at the time of donation. Donor families receive an initial letter
explaining how many individuals were helped through the “Gift of Life.” Donor families
receive correspondence from KODA every three months for fifteen months, including
literature on coping with death and grief, the newsletter for donor families entitled
“For Those Who Give and Grieve”, a reading list, and other helpful information.
Aftercare Director Sandy Hickey is able to help donor families with special requests,
and can be contacted by calling 1.800.525.3456 or by e-mail at
ANNUAL DONOR RECOGNITION CEREMONY
Each year, a special ceremony is held to remember and honor those who gave the
“gift of life.” Donor families and friends can share memories of their loved ones
with other families. The Local Donor Family Council members are present, and there
to help others as they have been helped. All information will be mailed out to families
currently in the Aftercare Program previous to the ceremony. The Recognition Ceremony
is held in the Spring of each year.
RESOURCES
DONOR FAMILY READING ROOM AND LIBRARY
KODA has many books and videos available to donor families to help in the grieving
process. These resources may be utilized by calling the KODA Louisville office and
scheduling a time to visit the resource library. Donor families who are unable to
visit the offices may call for an updated list of suggested readings and resources.
Please call 1-800-525-3456 and ask for Sandy Hickey.
DONOR FAMILY WEBSITE (www.donorfamily.org)
A web site specifically created by donor families for donor families can be found at
www.donorfamily.org.
This web site is maintained by the National Donor Family
Council, and offers wonderful resources to all organ and tissue donor families.
One can participate in tributes to donors, share and connect with other families,
learn about events and ceremonies and access resources and educational materials.
This site is highly recommended for donor families.
THE NATIONAL DONOR MEMORIAL (www.donormemorial.org)
The National Donor Memorial is dedicated to organ and tissue donors throughout
the country. The memorial is located in Richmond, Virginia. We encourage you to
visit the Memorial website to learn more about the National Donor Memorial.
“FOR THOSE WHO GIVE AND GRIEVE” DONOR FAMILY NEWSLETTER
This is a newsletter that is also put out by the National Donor Family Council. If
you are not currently receiving this newsletter, but would like to, please call
1-800-622-9010 between 8 AM and 5 PM, EST, and tell them you would like to
receive the Donor Family Newsletter.
“GIFT OF LIFE” ROSE (www.edmundsroses.com)
A beautiful hybrid rose was created to commemorate donors and it is called the
“Gift of Life” rose. The rose may be viewed by going to the
www.edmundsroses.com and clicking on “Gift of Life” rose. For this
area of the country, they are best planted in late March or early April.
FAMILY CIRCLE – ROSE PARADE FLOAT AND DEDICATION TO DONORS
(www.donatelifefloat.org)
The Family Circle Rose Dedication Program offers all families touched by organ
and tissue donation the opportunity to honor their loved ones by dedicating a rose
that is tagged with a personal message and placed in the Family Circle Garden. The
Garden is a living memorial on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float. This float
is a part of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, which is
seen by millions of people from around the world on New Year’s Day. For more
information on how to participate, please go to
www.donatelifefloat.org
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