Donor families are at the "heart" of the Alabama Organ Center.

The Donor Family Program supports donor families during their grief walk by supplying them with answers to questions about the donor process, and by providing grief literature.  We also provide information regarding how to write recipients as well as providing updates on their condition (when requested). Communication between donor families and the recipients completes the circle and heals the hearts of the grieving families as well as promotes healing within the recipients as they take the opportunity to acknowledge the miraculous gift made possible by their donor. One year after the donation, if both the donor family and the recipient make the Donor Family Liaison aware they would like to establish direct contact, we may reveal the identity of the donor, donor family and recipient. The donor family and recipient must have communicated and established a relationship (by written communication) during that year, and must agree to sign a release of information form. 

 We encourage the donor families to participate in the annual Transplant Picnic at UAB.  This is an event that brings recipients, donor families, clinicians, AOC personnel as well as physicians together to celebrate LIFE.  This event provides time to remember the donors who made the transplants possible.

Annually, we hold a Donor Recognition Service for the donor families whose donation occurred in the year past.  This is a time for the donor families to verbalize their own tribute to their loved one. 

The National Donor Family Quilt as well as the Alabama Donor Family Quilt tells a story of each donor represented.   Each square represents a donor.  We have pinning ceremonies at the picnic as well as the Donor Recognition Service so both endeavors are always growing. Both quilts are unfinished… there is always room for another square.

Every two years, donor families and recipients can participate in the U. S. Transplant Games.  At these games, recipients participate in Olympic-style sporting events.  Donor families participate in workshops, memorial services, etc. 

Jane Geloneck can be reached by leaving a message at 1-800-252-3677.