Charity Fundraising letter from hospital

[HeirOfNothingInParticular]

My DH was a patient at a large specialist cancer hospital a couple of years ago. Fortunately his treatment has been successful and is now in remission. Yesterday he received a letter from this hospital asking for donations to some new research which they are doing. DH is going to send some money. However, I am wondering how they got his contact details... Has the 'charity' branch of the Trust been able to access information about past patients to do this? I have no idea if this is the case, but would not be happy if they did this.

I usually wouldn't have a problem with this sort of thing, but it seemed to be a direct mailing from the fundraising department of the hospital, and the wording was quite emotional. I suppose I just feel uneasy if they were accessing patient information for marketing, particularly as many patients, or ex patients, are feeling quite vulnerable.

Whilst providing them some details he probably ticked a box at some point which said something like 'I am happy to recieve further updates from about news, events and fundraising'.

Or it's also possible his details be on a marketing list bought by the hospital off some company.

If he wants, he can ring or email and ask where they got his details (and to not receive further communications if he wants). They should be very used to these sorts of questions/requests and shouldn't make it difficult for him, so it shouldn't be a difficult conversation to have.

Thanks Supper. I guess that is the case, although when you first register at the hospital, neither the patient or their relative are thinking straight. We don't mind giving them money but I felt that there was a strong element of emotional blackmail in the letter!

I know it takes money to carry out clinical research into new treatments, and my DH did benefit from a relatively new treatment. However, this hospital is also is also well endowed from legacies. Also, lots of families of patients do loads of fund raising. When my DDs bf's mum died, her family and friends raised £5k to put her name on a leaf on a 'tree' in the hospital.

Hi Heir - if you feel uncomfortable about the letter then you or DH should definitely tell them. You don't have to go in all guns blazing, just an email stating your case and how it made you/DH feel will do - it's really important they get this sort of feedback so they can get it right in the future!

They are allowed to use 'reasonable pursuasion' when they're fundraising, so you would expect some emotive language, but not anything that makes you feel ashamed or distressed, obviously.

Should also be quite possible to ask them to only send you updates about the hospital, if you want to continue the relationship with them, and not anything asking you for money.