Information for Recipients
Bone graft procedures are very common and the demand for human graft materials is growing. Bone and tissue donations enable PlusLife to produce grafts to assist surgeons in treating many patients undergoing complex surgical procedures, thereby improving wellbeing, mobility and function.
Organ and Tissue Donation
You may be aware that many people choose to donate their organs; many people are unaware that it is also possible to donate tissue.
There are two forms of donation:
Living Donor Program
Patients undergoing hip replacement surgery can choose to donate the ball part of their hip joint (femoral head), which is removed and otherwise discarded as a routine part of the procedure.
Cadaveric Donor Program
During their lifetime, people may indicate a wish to donate organs and tissue after their death. Following the death of a loved one, the next of kin is approached to consent to the donation of musculoskeletal tissue (long bone and associated tissue such as tendons, ligaments & fascia) for transplant purposes.
How Are Bone and Tissue Grafts Used?
Bone, tendon, and ligament grafts are often used in conjunction with prosthetic implants such as metal hip implants, plates & screws. Once implanted into the recipient, the bone graft does not grow, but can stimulate the recipient's own bone to grow into the graft to repair areas of lost bone.
There are strict donor selection criteria and regulatory controls related to the screening and testing of donors and donated material. A thorough review of the donor's medical and social history is obtained before use of the donated material is permitted.
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Write to Your Donor or Donor's Family
After their surgery, some recipients choose to write to their donor or donor’s family to thank them for their gift, to share information about themselves, and to let them know how the transplant has changed their life.
We encourage transplant recipients to write to their donor or donor's family, if and when it feels right for them. The decision to write is a deeply personal one, and there is no right or wrong time or way to thank your donor or donor's family.
If you would like to contact your donor or their family, you are able to send a card, letter or photograph to the address below. Your communication will be reviewed to ensure confidentiality, and if your donor or their family has indicated a wish to receive correspondence from recipients, we will arrange for it to be forwarded to them.
Please enclose your name and date of surgery on a separate piece of paper in the envelope, so we can ensure we connect you with the right donor or donor's family. Your letter to the family should not include any identifying details, such as your name, address, or phone details.
Occasionally we receive return return correspondence from the donor or donor's family, which will then forward to the recipient.
Recipient correspondence should be sent to:
PlusLife
Recipient Correspondence
PO Box 5042
Midland, WA 6056
DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE: WRITING TO YOUR DONOR OR THEIR FAMILY »