“Patches of Love”:  The National Donor Family Quilt
 A tribute to those who have given the Gift of Life and whose legacies live on

About the Quilt….

Since January 1995, over 1100 families have participated in the Quilt project.  Each family has individually designed and created an 8” quilt square to be part of this national program which is dedicated to commemorating the love and lives of those who have given the Gift of Life through organ, tissue and/or eye donation. 

• Squares have been made out of such sentimental materials as loved ones’ baby blankets, high school jackets, ties and favorite sweaters.
• Each square is adorned with special details such as photographs, poems, quotes and symbols of the donors’ lives.
• The Quilt is an international project; squares have come from England and Canada.
• The Quilt is never finished.  One seam is always left open as a symbolic gesture for those families who will be faced with the decision to donate in the future.
• The Quilt travels to national and local events throughout the United States, spreading the word about donation and transplantation, as well as, paying special tribute to loved ones who have given the Gift of Life.
• Many Quilt squares have been sent to the National Donor Family Council with beautiful stories about the meaning of the square and how participating in such a project has been a comfort to the families.
• All donors – including organ, tissue and eye donors – are represented on the Quilt. 

Goals of the National Donor Family Quilt 

• The Quilt offers support to families by giving them an opportunity to participate in a national program and ensures that their loved one is remembered.
• The Quilt travels to public and professional events to increase public awareness and education about organ and tissue donation.

Quilt patches should be eight inch squares, including a ½ inch margin on any color or fabric.  You may use crayons, paint, markers, thread, computer generated photos or any other medium to design the square.  Please feel free to include the name of your loved one and dates of birth and death if you wish.

If you have already contributed a patch to “Patches of Love,” the National Donor Family Quilt, you are welcomed to make another for this new local quilt.  It can be the same as your previous square, or can be a different design.  Please place your completed square in a ziplock bag along with your name, address and phone number, loved one’s name and date of death.  Complete the Quilt Story Release Form, if applicable. Send it using an insured carrier or with a return receipt requested through the US Postal Service to: 

Donor Family Quilt
Midwest Transplant Network
1900 W. 47^th Place, Suite 400
Westwood, KS  66205

Additional questions and instuctions on constructing a quilt square can be answered on the FAQ page.

 You will receive confirmation that your square has been received.

The Midwest Transplant Network invites you to participate in the formation of it’s own local Donor Family Quilt.  This quilt is dedicated to the memory of those who have given the Gift of Life.  Your quilt square will commemorate the life of your loved one.  The quilt will be displayed within the MTN service area (all of Kansas and the western part of Missouri) to help spread the message of organ, tissue and eye donation and to honor and remember those who have given the precious gift of life.