Organizations:
National Donor Family Council
Founded by the National Kidney Foundation as a home for donor families, this website contains a listing of programs and events, grief information and resources, national donor family quilt information, memorials, sharing and support for families.
Honors organ and tissue donors and families. Includes opportunities for tributes and information regarding the National Donor Memorial located in Richmond, VA.
Healing the Spirit
Memorials, resources, children’s interactive activities, online quilt and information about grief. Sponsored by LifeNet Donor Memorial Foundation. (LifeNet is an organ procurement organization and tissue bank.)
Reading Resources:
Many of these resources are available through your local bookstore or library.
Cowherd, Robin. Healing The Spirit.
A powerful set of inspirational stories of families of deceased organ and tissue donors.
Green, Reg. The Nicholas Effect: A Boy’s Gift To The World.
A father’s story of how his son’s life helped save thousands.
www.nicholasgreen.org
Holtkamp, Sue. Something More For Donor Families.
Booklet for donor families.
Holtkamp, Sue. Wrapped in Mourning – The Gift of Life and Organ Donor Family Trauma.
This book explores the risks and benefits of organ donation as it impacts the trauma-driven grief of the donor family.
Maloney, Raelynn, and Alan D. Wolfelt. Caring For Donor Families, Before, During And After.
How professionals can communicate and support families, before, during and after the decision to donate organs, tissue and eyes.
National Kidney Foundation. For Those Who Give And Grieve.
Booklet for donor families.
National Kidney Foundation. The Death of a Spouse or Lifetime Companion.
A resource for those who have experienced the death of a husband, wife or life partner.
Vajentic, AnnaKathryn, and Nancy Neuer. Remembering: Explaining Organ And Tissue Donation: Loss, Grief, & Hope.
Illustrated, softcover book for ages 6-11.
Vajentic, AnnaKathryn, and Nancy Neuer. Remembering: Explaining Organ And Tissue Donation: Loss, Grief, & Hope.
Illustrated, softcover book for ages 12 and older.