Donor Family Support

Many of you are familiar with the dedicated Midwest Transplant Network staff who provide support to organ, eye and tissue donors during their time in the hospital. However, the care and support we offer to families extends well beyond that moment. Our Donor Family Services team is a vital resource for donor families, serving as the primary point of contact for any questions regarding their loved one’s recipients and donated gifts. This compassionate team facilitates connections between donor families and recipients through exchanged letters. In 2023, we assisted with 1,296 heartfelt letters between donor families and the people who received lifesaving organ transplants.

Our Donor Family Services team organizes meaningful events such as the Celebration of Heroes that welcomes donor families to gather to honor their loved ones’ memories. We host family days at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium and Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Wichita. Last year, we welcomed 2,601 donor family members to these special events. We recognize that grief has no timeline, and neither does the opportunity to attend these gatherings. Families are always welcome to join when they feel ready, regardless of how long ago their loved one’s donation occurred.

As we approach the holiday season, we know that grief can feel especially heavy. To offer some solace and warmth, we are honored to host our annual Hope for the Holidays events on Tues., Dec. 3, at Union Station in Kansas City, and Tues., Dec. 10, at Exploration Place in Wichita. We anticipate welcoming nearly 600 donor family members to these special gatherings aimed at bringing comfort and hope during the holiday season. If you would like more information about the services we provide to families, please contact MTN’s Donor Family Services team at aftercare@mwtn.org.