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Donor Family Services
Here at Upstate New York Transplant Services, we value the generosity of families who choose donation. We recognize that donor families have a variety of needs for bereavement support, contact with transplant recipients, information regarding the donation process, and for opportunities to share their experiences with others. As part of our ongoing commitment to donor families, we offer diverse support services and programs. Donor families will receive follow-up letters from UNYTS expressing our condolences. About a month after the death of a loved one, donor families receive a letter stating how their loved one’s organs and tissue were used. Our counseling staff will then make a follow-up phone call to donor families to provide support and grief counseling services if needed.
Members of the team are Family Services Manager, Darlene Aymerich, whose daughter, Shannon Miller, died in an automobile accident in 1996 and Family Services Counselor, Kim Lauta.
The Family Support Team truly understands what the potential donor's family is going through. Their own experience makes them uniquely qualified to comfort and console, to offer information, and to help the family in any way possible. The team's primary goal is to ensure that families are supported appropriately in their decision making process, no matter what they choose.
If you have any questions or comments about any of our services or programs, please contact our family services department via email at daymerich@unyts.org or phone at 716-853-6667.
Visit the following links to learn more about our services and to read stories and memorials from donor families and recipients. WNY Bereavement Services (pdf) Writing to Transplant Recipients (pdf) Transplant Recipient Stories (pdf) Available Programs/Events (pdf)