Dear (personalize letter),
I am writing to you about my (e.g., friend, sibling, spouse, partner), (Recipient), to let you know about (his/her/their) current health challenge and how you can help. This is not an easy letter for me to write, but I know that without sending this, someone who might be interested in helping won’t have that opportunity.
(Recipient) is a wonderful person. (Talk about the recipient’s work, family, volunteer work, involvement with the community and anything that could connect with other people.) (Recipient) has end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure and has three options for treatment: dialysis, a kidney transplant from a deceased donor or a kidney transplant from a living donor. Dialysis is only a temporary solution. While (Recipient) can remain on dialysis for many years, it's not a cure for kidney disease. It's also physically exhausting and time-consuming, with treatment schedules as frequent as three times each week for four hours each session.
Since I care so much for (Recipient), I’m doing everything I can to help find (him/her/them) a living kidney donor. (Give a brief history of Recipient’s health challenges, whether on dialysis, had a previous transplant, how long waiting, how many other people have tried to help, etc. Potentially include a photo. If the Recipient has made many positive lifestyle changes, mention them. If you are unable to donate, explain why. If the Recipient is on dialysis, talk about how difficult it is to have a normal life while being on kidney dialysis. If not on dialysis, describe the routine.)
(Recipient) needs a new kidney, and we hope you will consider being tested to be a donor. (Be as straightforward as possible.) I know this is a big request. But I make it on behalf of someone who devotes every day of (his/her/their) life to making a difference to (his/her/their) family and friends. If you can help, please take the online health history questionnaire at osuwexmedlivingdonor.org to see if you might qualify. If you know anyone who might, please forward this on. Forwarding this to your family, friends, work, school, congregation or any other communities you belong to would be most gratefully appreciated.
If you would like to learn more about living kidney donation, please feel free to call me at (insert phone number). I want to be as helpful as possible. You can also visit wexnermedical.osu.edu/kidneydonor or contact the Ohio State Comprehensive Transplant Center at 614-293-6724, option 3 and have a confidential conversation and get answers to any questions.
Thank you so much!