What brought me to the Howie’s House?
I served twenty-four years in the United States Army and during that time, I had the honor to serve in Iraq, in multiple combat tours. An experience I am very proud of and one I will never forget.
Upon returning home from the multiple tours, I began experiencing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
I had trouble sleeping, irritability, severe depression and flashbacks. This began to affect my personal and professional life. I didn’t know how to deal and didn’t know where to find support. I began drinking to alleviate the pain that had completely consumed me. I felt the only way to deal with what was happening was to drink, which ultimately led to my hospitalization.
How I Got Here
On January 1st 2021, I was rushed to a transplant hospital in Philadelphia in complete liver and renal failure. My body was malnourished, and I was unconscious. I was in immediate need for a liver transplant or I was not going to make it.
I was put into a medical coma and began the process of being listed for a liver transplant, that would eventually save my life. My sister stayed at the Howie’s House while I was hospitalized.
After a month of waiting in the hospital, I finally received my gift of life, a liver transplant, on February 4th.
Though because of the long hospitalization, the road to normalcy was a long one. My muscles had atrophied and with that began months of physical and occupational therapy.
Time to Leave the Hospital
As I came to the end of my 4 months stay in the hospital, I realized there was a lot more healing to do before returning home, medically, physically, and emotionally.
What I found was a place to transition and to heal – to get ready to return, not to the old life I had but the new life that I had been given, MY SECOND CHANCE.
At the Howie’s House I had place to go to after a long day of follow up appointments or dialysis, as my kidneys also failed during my transplant process. I was surrounded by my family as well as a new family of people with the same shared experiences.
Every night we had dinner donated by several groups and organizations and this was a time to share stories with other guests of how we got there, who we are, and the ins and outs the hospitals we would go to.
Staying at the Howie’s House to be close to the hospital was extremely important after my long hospital stay and medical recover. However, staying at the Howie’s House was also extremely important to my emotional healing.
Meeting other patients and families, working with the hospital and Howie’s House social workers, and focusing on my recovery all began when I checked into the Howie’s House.
Time to go home!
After about 2 months at the Howie’s House, in June 2021, I was ready to take on my new life. In the military we have what is called a change of mission – starting something completely new. You have to learn to adapt to that situation.
I wasn’t going back to my old life, but adapting to a new environment with different challenges. Howie’s House, my medical team, and support system, gave me skills to take this on.
Closing
I am currently medically retired from the military, however I still stay close. I am working with soldiers as a Master Resiliency Trainer, which I received through University of Pennsylvania, guiding soldiers to get the help and counseling they need to overcome depression, anxiety and addiction.
My sister, who stayed with me during my time at GOL, also has a charitable organization for disabled veterans to experience the sport of scuba diving, which I also support.
I am so incredibly grateful for my second chance at life. I thank my donors and donor families, as I had my liver transplant in February and then I did receive my kidney transplant in December 2021. My donors gave me the ultimate gift, so I can see my kids grow up, graduate college and live their own successful lives.
With my second chance I plan to compete in the transplant games later this year in the triathlon and I will continue to help other soldiers who are dealing with what I went through.
I thank the Gift of Life Donor Program for facilitating the process to get me transplanted as well as the Howie’s House for giving me a place to recover and heal in so many ways.
Finally, I want to say thank you to all the contributors who help keep the Howie’s House going, as well as the staff, fellow patients and families. Without you so many people would not have a second chance at life to love and share.
In the words of Jan Weinstock, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, “It may have been raining, but the sun was certainly shining” at our annual President’s Reception that was held on May 6th, 2022, at Gift of Life Howie’s House.
After two long awaited years, generous contributors, volunteers and staff were finally able to reunite in person during our Rise and Shine President’s Breakfast. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to share many laughs and memories and recognize the continued generosity of our amazing community.
President and CEO, Rick Hasz along with Jan also had the pleasure of sharing some important milestones reached, updates and remarks about the Howie’s House’s exciting journey ahead and transition into our new name, Gift of Life Howie’s House.
As past guest, transplant recipient and veteran, Jason Vaughn, said in his speech at the reception, “At the Howie’s House I had place to go to after a long day….. I was surrounded by my family as well as a new family of people with the same shared experiences….I want to say thank you to all the contributors who help keep the Howie’s House going, as well as the staff, fellow patients and families. Without you so many people would not have a second chance at life.”
His gratitude represents the thousands of patients and caregivers supported by the Howie’s House on their journey to hope.
We were also joined by special guests, the Ward family, who stayed at the Howie’s House when they learned their young son Jude needed a liver transplant. Jude received his gift of life in 2017 and the whole family relied on the comforts of the Howie’s House during their transplant journey.
Many families, such as the Wards, are in desperate need of a clean, warm, place to stay during their transplant journey. In 2017, Nicole Ward learned that her son Jude would need a liver transplant. It was critical that the Ward family felt safe and comforted during their stay. Nicole said, “A simple donation means the world to another family.”
We were honored to have both Jason and the Ward Family ring the Chimes of Hope in celebration of all that the Howie’s House is able to accomplish because of the generosity of our community. If you were not able to attend this year’s event, you can watch the video on our Facebook page here.
Mike Bacher and his wife Jo-Ann are from Lewis, Delaware and first came to the Howie’s House in January of 2022 to start the evaluation process for a heart transplant. Mike was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy 16 years ago, and lived a normal, healthy life until his health started to decline, and his doctors advised him to consider a transplant that could save his life.
They were thankful to have a safe and comforting accommodations during the process.
Heather, Mike’s daughter, said that when Mike and Jo-Ann first came to the House, “they said they knew it was the right place to stay”.
A few weeks later, Mike was listed for a heart transplant at Temple University Hospital, and after only 11 days of waiting, he received his precious gift of life. Jo-Ann stayed at the Howie’s House while he recovered and was able to have their two daughters, Heather and Melissa, as well as other family members take turns staying with her to offer support.
“It’s been such a stressful, overwhelming experience but having somewhere to eat and sleep and rest is priceless,” says Heather. “My dad was also able to gain a sense of peace and comfort knowing that his family was safe while he was in the hospital.”
The Bacher’s family and friends asked how they could support them during their journey and they requested that all support be directed to the Howie’s House. A place that is helping them and others during the transplant journey. Sisters Heather and Melissa created a Facebook fundraiser where people could give in Mike’s honor to benefit the House. The fundraiser ended up raising over $12,000!
The generosity didn’t stop there. When Jo-Ann’s employer, Jack Lingo Realtor, heard about Mike’s transplant, the company decided to hold a matching gift fundraiser with their employees and raised over $5,000, which makes the grand total of over $17,000 raised for the Howie’s House!
The Bacher Family say that they are grateful to the Howie’s House for all the services they received, and to Mike’s donor for giving him his precious gift of life. “My dad has someone else’s heart beating in his body. He gets to live longer and make more memories, there is no greater gift than something like that,” says Heather.
Just a few days after Mike was discharge from the hospital, the entire Bacher Family visited the Howie’s House to celebrate Mike’s transplant and ring the Chimes of Hope, and even provided a home-cooked meal to the families to give back.
Click here to watch the family ring the Chimes of Hope!
In honor of National Social Worker’s Month, we thought we would feature one of our Howie’s House social workers, Faith, to learn more about her and her background! Faith started working at the Howie’s House in November of 2020 and has since become an incredibly valuable member of the team.
Q: Where are you from? Where did you attend school?
A: I grew up in Bloomsburg PA, where I received my undergraduate degree at Bloomsburg University. I moved to Philadelphia to pursue my MSW at West Chester University.
Q: How did you decide you wanted to be a social worker?
My goal has always been to work in a helping profession. Having a passion for advocacy and mental health, social work seemed like a perfect balance of the two!
Q: What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part about being a social worker at the Howie’s House is the opportunity to build connections with our transplant families and community.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy staying active at the gym or on Kelly Drive, trying new restaurants around Philly, and taking day trips to the shore as frequently as possible!
Our social workers are a vital part of serving our mission and provide Howie’s House guests with critical support and education while undergoing the transplant process. Faith is a vital member of the Howie’s House team and we are so grateful to have her on board!
Dear Howie’s House community,
It’s hard to believe that over 10 years ago, Gift of Life Howie’s House officially opened its doors to welcome home transplant families.
Nancy and Thomas Greenholt of McSherrytown, PA were among the first to check in. “For months we’ve had to get up in the middle of the night to start our long drive to the hospital. We would then have to complete the return drive home later in the day,” they explained 10 years ago. “What a blessing to have the House available to spend the night and then be able to go directly to the clinic within 15 minutes. The stress of driving has at least been cut in half. We were thrilled to finally have a wonderful place to stay.”
Since then, we have provided comfort and hope to thousands of families like the Greenholts along their transplant journeys. And while no family’s experience is identical – there is comfort in sharing the experience with others who understand.
To mark this special milestone, we are thrilled to have kicked off a year-long 10th anniversary celebration and fundraising effort. We’re calling it our Journey to Hope Campaign in honor of the courageous families we serve every day. Check out our special campaign video here!
I’m extremely proud of all that we have accomplished together over the past decade.
In our 10-year history, we have provided over 72,000 nights of lodging and care as well as 250,000 meals plus household supplies, transportation and counseling to over 2,800 transplant families.
We have steadfastly maintained our $40 nightly room fee — though our actual costs are now as much as $175 per night — and have never turned away a family who couldn’t pay. All told, we have provided over $10 million in subsidized care to transplant families since we opened.
All of this is made possible by the generosity of individuals, companies, organizations, foundations, and friends like you who believe in our mission and know that we are good stewards of their generous contributions. I am so very grateful!
Our Journey to Hope needs YOU!
You can support our journey ahead and help us to continue offering affordable care to transplant families by supporting our campaign.
There are many ways to give to the Howie’s House and be recognized, including room and other sponsorship opportunities for individuals, groups and companies.
Please join us as we celebrate our 10th anniversary and the journey to hope that we share.
Warm regards,
Howard M. Nathan
Founder, President & CEO
Nicole, 28, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at a young age and was given a low chance of surviving past age 10. Nicole describes her personality as a “bull” and says that “if someone tells me I can’t do something, then I’m going to fight very hard and go do it.”
Nicole beat the odds and it wasn’t until the age of 21 when her doctors told her that she would need to start looking into transplant surgery. A few years later, Nicole was added to the lung-transplant waiting list. And in June of 2019. just 2 weeks after getting married, Nicole received the best wedding gift one could ask for, a life-saving lung transplant!
Nicole and her mom, Patti, stayed at the Howie’s House for a little over 2 months during Nicole’s transplant and recovery journey. She says that although her recovery was hard, “knowing that you’re coming back to a place that’s peaceful and understanding is priceless”. Nicole and her mom particularly enjoyed interacting with the Home Cook Hero volunteers and the delicious meals they provided every night. “It was so comforting to come home from a long day of physical therapy and have spaghetti waiting for you”.
Nicole says she is thankful for the people at the Howie’s House that make the journey for transplant patients doable, and explains, “when you’re experiencing so much trauma on a regular basis, you really just need some love at the end of the day, and I felt like I got that at the Howie’s House.”
Growing up, Nicole’s passion and escape was always the theatre. She started participating in theatre groups from a young age and continued to star in and write for shows all the way into college. When her condition started to worsen, however, she could no longer participate in shows the way she wanted to. That is when she began to write a musical about her journey and experiences as a Cystic Fibrosis patient, and soon enough she had finished writing the lyrics to her full-length musical, Fall Risk.
Today, Nicole is in great health leading up to the 2-year anniversary of her lung-transplant and is now putting all her efforts into producing and bringing her musical to life!
This spring, consider making a gift that will help us continue to be there for families like Nicole’s during their difficult and unpredictable transplant journeys. Your gift will help us provide comfort and stability to our families 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Click here to give today.
Soon after we opened back in 2011, Lindsey, Bill and their 10-month old son, Stephen, came to stay with us for the first time. At the time of their first stay, Stephen was our youngest guest. The Schwartzes are now one of our longest returning guests and have been coming back ever since they first walked through our doors over 9 years ago.
At the time of their first visit, Stephen was in need of a kidney transplant. Stephen had been diagnosed with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD), or infantile PKD, a rare genetic disorder that affects 1 out of every 20,000 children. Before Stephen was born, his doctors knew that he would one day need a transplant, as the disease causes poor kidney function and breathing problems that can hinder an infant’s survival.
At just six days old, Stephen’s kidneys were both removed to aid his breathing, and he would remain on dialysis for two years until he was old enough to receive his transplant. Neither Bill nor Lindsey were a match to Stephen’s blood type, so they were unable to be his donor. Just as the Schwartzes received their first miracle with Stephen’s birth, their second miracle came when a family friend offered to get tested to be his kidney donor and was a perfect match. On May 9, 2013, two-year-old Stephen received his precious gift of life.
The Schwartzes desperately wanted Stephen’s kidney transplant and aftercare to happen in Philadelphia, a 3 ½ hour drive from their home in Virginia. Explains Lindsey, “There are not many places in the country you can get pediatric nephrology care, especially for this type of disease and pediatric kidney transplant”.
Lindsey calls the Howie’s House an integral part of making Stephens care in Philadelphia possible.
“At the time, the financial aspect of traveling to Philadelphia would have prevented us from keeping Stephen’s care there after transplant. The affordability of the Howie’s House gave us the ability to make that decision and get Stephen the best healthcare,” says Lindsey.
The Schwartzes are now one of our longest-returning families and continue to come to Philadelphia for Stephens follow-up care. Stephen is now 10 years old and is about to finish the fourth grade. He enjoys racing electric go-karts, golfing with his dad, and playing with his new puppy, Maverick.
Lindsey says that the predictability of the Howie’s House brought her comfort during Stephen’s transplant journey, and that she is grateful for all the amenities that we provide.
“The Howie’s House has everything you need to have a relaxing, easy place to stay.”
This spring, consider making a gift that will help us continue to be there for families like the Schwartzes during their difficult and unpredictable transplant journeys. Your gift will help us provide comfort and stability to our families 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Click here to give today.
Check out this special message from the Schwartz family!
Many transplant patients and caregivers will miss out on holiday traditions, time with friends and family, and normal self-care practices due to the pandemic. This can cause increased feelings of isolation and stress during an already stressful time.
Self-care is critical during this time. Below are a few suggestions on how to manage the stressors you may face this season and ways to fight the winter-time and pandemic blues!
Prepare:
- Identify new traditions or modify old ones as a way to maintain some normalcy! For instance if you normally cook for a large group, maybe you can still prepare some of the meal and then make to-go containers for your friends or family to grab and go.
- Create a gift budget. Finances this year have been a struggle for most. Also consider handmade gifts or creative gifts to avoid over spending.
- Organize a special activity or event with friends and family for a later time when gatherings are safely approved again. This may help your family by having something to look forward to.
Prioritize Self-Care:
- Safely get outdoors. A little fresh air and movement each day can impact our bodies and minds in a great way!
- Find and participate in online groups or classes. As our society has adjusted to virtual gatherings, more online opportunities have been developed. Try finding your favorite support group, fitness class online, or an online class to learn a new skill.
- Be intentional. Try practicing mindfulness, deep breathing, or listening to your favorite feel good music once a day.
- Allow space for grief and loss. Do not minimize your grief this holiday. Allow yourself to experience it and talk about it with your support system.
- Be gentle with yourself. Recognize and reflect on what you have gone through this year and the changes you have adapted to.
- Practice gratitude. Take time to acknowledge the good. Remembering what we are thankful for can do wonders on any rainy (or snowy) day!
Connect:
- Use any form of communication and technology that you have access to & stay connected! For instance, keep regularly scheduled Zoom or Facetime calls with family and friends and put it on your calendar.
- Ask for help. If you are struggling or need support, reach out. Identify a support person or resource and express your needs.
RESOURCES: If you or someone you know needs additional support, please utilize and share the resources below:
- Caregiver Lifeline Program – support for transplant families: 267-546-9800
- Support with Mental and/or Substance Use: SAMSHA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357
- Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-SAFE
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255
- Find Local Food Resources Near You: Philabundance.com / P: (215) 339-0900
- Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255.
By Faith Osbourne, MSW
Gift of Life Howie’s House Social Worker
For New Jersey natives, Maggi and George, their life turned upside down 7 years ago when Maggi was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis after a respiratory flare-up she had while snorkeling in Aruba. They were told that the disease was progressive, had no known cure, and would cause permanent damage in her lungs as time went on.
This news was a huge blow to the couple, who had just a year and half before and many of their favorite activities like snorkeling, kayaking, traveling, golfing, and hiking now seemed impossible.
For the next 7 years, Maggi would have to carry oxygen everywhere she went, go to check ups every 6 months, attend pulmonary rehab sessions, and prioritize living a healthy lifestyle in the case she would need a transplant. Despite all the challenges, Maggi and George remained positive and didn’t let her disease define their life. “I bought a mobile oxygen tank and we used it go everywhere… We traveled all over Italy and France, and even went on a cruise to Alaska. I was going to keep living my life.” says Maggi.
Maggi also was dedicated to staying up to date on the science around her disease and would participate in studies to help further the development of a cure. Maggi, who is one of 14 siblings, also has an especially unique case, as the disease runs in her family. She has two siblings who have been diagnosed with the disease and two more who could have had it but died before they could be diagnosed.
“I wanted to be on the forefront of what science was doing because science was moving fast,” she says. “My journey was to have an outcome that would save my life, whether it be getting a transplant or finding a cure.”
Maggi and George stayed at the Gift of Life Howie’s House for the first time back in 2018 during a pre-transplant appointment. Maggi heard about us through her Pulmonary Fibrosis support group which she co-leads with another Gift of Life Howie’s House guest.
Little did they know the impact the House would make on their transplant journey.
Even though Maggi was optimistic in the development of a cure, her condition was getting worse the longer she waited. So, in the spring of 2020, right in the heat of the pandemic, both her and her doctors decided it was time to start the process of getting on the transplant waiting list.
Within two months and after several evaluations, she was added to the waiting list for a lung transplant. Two months later, Maggi got the call that her lungs were ready.
Maggi and George both knew they would have to stay in Philadelphia for an extended period of time post-transplant, and they found comfort in knowing they had a safe place to call home while she recovered.
Maggi’s surgery went off without a hitch and she was out of the hospital in just 12 days, which is much shorter than the usual post-transplant stay. While Maggi was still in the hospital, George stayed at the Gift of Life Howie’s House and was able to visit her while she regained her strength.
Maggi has now joined George at the House and will stay here while she continues the rest of her recovery. They have made themselves at home here, and appreciate all the amenities we offer, especially during the pandemic. “The House provides you with everything that somebody would need… and it’s immaculately clean, you just have such a sense of safety here because you know that things are being taken care of,” says Maggi.
Maggi says that one of her favorite parts is that, despite the visitor restrictions, the couple were still allowed to visit with Maggi’s daughter, son-in-law, and two of their grandkids outside on our patio. George and Maggi have three kids and four grandkids between the two of them and enjoy keeping in touch by weekly Facetime and Zoom calls.
George, as Maggi’s primary caregiver, enjoys cooking and can often be found preparing meals for the two of them in our kitchen. During the pandemic and while caring for Maggi, he has had to continue to run his mechanical contracting business and has been using our library as an office. “It’s beyond comfortable here. The fact that I can walk 12 steps to the library and do my work in the morning makes things easy,” says George.
George also has taken advantage of our Caregiver Lifeline Program by attending our support groups and referring to the resources available on our website. Overall, they both say that the best part about the Howie’s House is the people they have met here.
“There is a comradery here because you meet and make friends with other families while you’re eating dinner that are going through the same situations,” says Maggi. “There is such a diversity of people you meet here, you really get to hear all different types of stories” adds George.
Maggi, an avid kayaker, says she is the most excited to get back to kayaking post-transplant. The couple are both looking forward to golfing and traveling again, and have plans to travel to Spain, Ireland, Portugal and Scotland as soon as the pandemic is over. Most of all, the couple is looking forward to spending more time with family, getting home to their house in New Jersey and enjoying many more adventures together, which is all made possible by the generous donor who gave Maggi a new lease on life.
| About the Gift of Life Howie’s House Gift of Life Howie’s House serves as a “home away from home” for transplant patients and their families by providing temporary, affordable lodging, and supportive services to those who travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for transplant-related care. Click here for information on ways to support the mission of Gift of Life Howie’s House. |
Coming up on Saturday, September 26th CareDx is hosting the Allocare Transplant Festival, a fun, interactive, virtual event meant to bring together members of the transplant community during this difficult period. The event will take place from 12 – 3 p.m. ET and will feature many different activities with guests from all over the transplant community.
The festival has a full agenda of events and activities, as well as multiple contests for attendees to participate in before and during the festival! Here is a full list of the live festival agenda, as well as the pre-event contests:
Pre-Event Contests (submissions due by September 19th)
- Twitter “My Transplant Story” In 280 characters or less, tell us how the gift of organ donation changed your life for a chance to win some great prizes!
- Favorite Recipe Contest Share your go-to recipe for a chance to win a prize and have your recipe demonstrated by our guest celebrity chef!
- Talent Show entries Submit a video of your special talent! Winners will be revealed during the festival.
- Transplant Community Photo Wall Mosaic Submit a photo and be a part of the Photo Wall Mosaic that will be presented live by Peter Maag
To enter, click on the registration link below!
Live Festival Agenda
- Community Trivia Challenge Host: Amanda Nicastro – comedian and organ donor
- Talent Show Judges: Angelica Hale, America’s Got Talent runner up and kidney transplant recipient; Dorry Segev, transplant surgeon at JHU; and Merle Zuel, MerleJam founder and heart transplant recipient
- Cooking Demonstration Celebrity chef will demonstrate a version of a winning recipe, with three home chefs joining in live
- The Engaged Patient Patient Panel moderated by Osama Gaber, transplant surgeon at Houston Methodist and incoming ASTS president
- Transplant Life with Sports and Fitness Professional Athlete Panel with David Ayres, Emergency Goalie Carolina Hurricanes and transplant recipient; John Brockington, NFL – Packers and transplant recipient; and Sean Elliot, NBA – Spurs and transplant recipient.
- My Transplant Story Winners
- Photo Wall Mosaic Reveal Presented by Peter Maag
- Get Moving: Short home workout clips with professional transplant athletes
So what is CareDx? CareDx is a transplant focused company centered around providing healthcare solutions for transplant patients and caregivers both pre- and post- transplant journey. It is committed to improving transplant patient outcomes through innovative testing and is the leading partner in medicine for transplant patients.
Gift of Life Howie’s House is so excited to be partnering with CareDx for this special event. For more information and where to register, visit this website: https://bit.ly/caredxregistration
We hope to see you there!
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