Four-year-old Layla stayed at Gift of Life Howie’s House with her family while her father received care in the hospital.
Layla had one big wish for Christmas: for her father to receive his life-saving heart and kidney transplant, something he has been waiting for since August 2023.
We are thrilled to share that Layla’s Christmas wish came true, and her father, Eric, received the best gift of all: the gift of life. Thanks to a generous organ donor hero, Eric received his heart and kidney transplant last Christmas.
Layla along with her mother, grandmother and baby brother were provided safe, peaceful lodging and access to all the other services of the House: home-cooked meals, a fully stocked pantry, transportation to and from the hospital, an on-site social work team, and a whole community of caring people.
HELP CONTINUE THE COMMITMENT TO SAFETY this Spring by supporting the enhancement of the security system at the House.
Families traveling from far away for medical care face numerous concerns while navigating the challenging transplant journey. For those coming from out of town, feeling safe and secure while in an unfamiliar environment such as a large city, is essential for their peace of mind.
At Gift of Life Howie’s House, ensuring guests feel safe during their stay has always been a top priority and an integral part of the overall mission. That’s why multiple measures are in place to make sure guests feel as comfortable as possible when walking through the House doors.
From the secure perimeter gate that encloses the facility to the overnight security guards and surveillance system, the goal is to ease the mind of the families who stay at the House as soon as they arrive.
As part of our commitment to providing the safest environment possible for guests, House staff continuously assess our systems for the most up-to-date improvements.
This year, an upgrade to the existing security camera and public announcement system is planned, and the House is calling on the support of the community to help complete the project in 2024.
Your support of this important project will help families like the Bachers, who said they relied on the safety and security that the House provided during their stay.
Mike Bacher was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy over 16 years ago, a heart disorder which he contracted from a viral infection. Mike and his wife Jo-Ann live in Lewes, Delaware, a rural beach community over 2 and half hours away from Philadelphia.
For years, Mike managed the disease, until his condition started to quickly worsen at the beginning of 2022. Mike’s doctors suggested he get listed for transplant, so they made the journey to Philadelphia to begin his evaluation.
Traveling into the city from a rural setting, they didn’t know what to expect before arriving to the House. Mike shared that as soon as he saw the facility, he knew he made the right choice.
“It was a huge relief. I couldn’t have imagined anything nicer and safer. I was pretty apprehensive about coming into Philly at all, and I didn’t know what area we were going to be in until we got there,” Mike said. “We were pleasantly surprised to find what a nice place it was.”
“I couldn’t have imagined anything NICER and SAFER.“
Mike’s wife, Jo-Ann, said that the security measures in place were one of the first things she noticed.
“At first, I noticed all the security cameras inside, I wasn’t used to the place and didn’t know anyone so that made me feel very secure. It was like being in a hotel…even pulling into the gate and not having to worry about where I was going to park my car made a huge difference.”
After Mike was admitted to the transplant waiting list, he didn’t have to wait long. Only 11 days after being listed, Mike received his life-saving heart transplant thanks to an organ donor hero.
While he recovered in the hospital, Jo-Ann remained at the House to stay close to him while their two daughters, Heather and Melissa, would visit periodically to provide support.
Mike said that the peace of mind the House brought him made all the difference in his recovery.
“This facility was a lifesaver, providing a safe environment for my family to allow them to visit through this whole ordeal. I spent a total of 56 days in the hospital, and they were there through almost all of that,” explains Mike.
Mike’s family was so grateful for the services the House provided that they have since given back to the mission by hosting a successful Facebook fundraiser, serving a meal through the Home Cook Heroes program, and now support the annual fund!
“This facility was a LIFESAVER, providing a safe environment for my family…”
Post-transplant, Mike and his family have been traveling as much possible, including a recent trip to the Floridia Keys that had been rescheduled twice due to his health complications. Jo-Ann and Mike say they are trying to travel as much as possible and make the most of every day.
“We want our donor to know that we’re not wasting one day, we’re living every day to the fullest because you just never know when it’s going to be your last,” Jo-Ann says.
THIS SPRING, HELP SUPPORT THE COMFORT OF FAMILIES LIKE THE BACHERS
by supporting the upgrade of the security camera and public announcement systems.
This project will further modernize the current security camera system at the House, allowing for enhanced picture quality, more centralized monitoring, better views of the building, and more. It will also include an upgrade to the current public announcement system within guest rooms, simplifying the process to make guest and safety announcements.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today to help reach the goal of $40,000 to complete this important project.
Gifts of all sizes are needed and appreciated. As Jo-Ann says, “Even a small gift goes a long way.”
Click Here to make your gift today!
Over a decade ago, past guest and lung transplant recipient, Sandra Pabon, faced a life-altering diagnosis of Lupus. This chronic autoimmune disease causes one’s immune system to attack the body’s tissues and organs. Over the next few years, the disease began to damage Sandra’s lungs, and she was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
After years of battling her condition, Sandra’s doctors suggested the only path to survival – a life-saving lung transplant. In 2016, she joined the waiting list, but her journey was far from over.
Sandra faced a challenging road because of the limited availability of compatible donors. Five long years passed, and it seemed as though her family had accepted the harsh reality that a matching lung might never come.
Then, in March of this year, the phone call that would forever change Sandra’s life arrived.
Keeping Families Close
Sandra received the call that a match from an organ donor hero had been found for her, and she received her life-saving lung transplant the next day. There were some complications, however, and Sandra had to remain undersedation for four months in the ICU to minimize the signs of rejection.
It was during this time Sandra’s family utilized Gift of Life Howie’s House to remain close to her. Sandra’s husband, David, made a promise to never leave her side while in the hospital, and the House made keeping that promise possible.
Sandra
David stayed at the House for over six months while Sandra was in the hospital and recovering. Their children, who had all moved home to help the family, were also able to visit whenever they could.
Kelsey
One of Sandra’s daughtersSandra Had to undergo intensive physical therapy for many weeks after she came out of sedation. Her family continued to stay at the House during this time.
Sandra
Recently, Sandra was able to return home to Pennsylvania and is eagerly looking forward to driving again, taking care of her house, and making up for lost time with loved ones. She emphasizes that she is forever grateful to the House for allowing her family to care for her when she needed them most.
“The House made it possible not to go through it alone.”
Sandra
You can light the way home for families like Sandra’s today by donating to Gift of Life Howie’s House here.
By making a gift today, you are helping to “Light the Way Home” for the many families staying at the House this holiday season. Every donation, regardless of its size, makes a significant difference in these families’ lives, offering them hope and a path forward during their darkest hours.
Your support will help bridge the gap between our low nightly fee of $40 and the actual cost to provide our services, which is $175 a night. It will also help keep the promise of never turning away a family who cannot afford the nightly fee.
A special incentive to make your gift even more meaningful:
For those who donate $250 or more, your name will be placed on a beautifully crafted paper house, illuminated as a symbol of your support. They will be displayed around Gift of Life Howie’s House and serve as a reminder to our guests that there are compassionate individuals helping to ease their journey and “Light the Way Home.”
If you can offer a special gift of $250 or more, you’ll also become a cherished member of the Family Circle.
Four-year-old Nicholas, affectionately known as Nico, has been a fighter from day one. At just eight weeks old, he was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a rare liver disease causing severe liver damage and scarring in infants.
Cristina, Nico’s mother, and Annette, his grandmother, are from Puerto Rico and were informed that the local hospital couldn’t treat Nico’s condition. They embarked on a long journey to Philadelphia to seek the best care.
Discovering the House didn’t happen immediately for the family. Initially staying with relatives in Pittsburgh, they commuted back and forth for all of Nico’s appointments.
After months of waiting, Nico received his life-saving liver transplant at just one year old. It was only after his transplant that Cristina and Annette came to stay at the House and said they instantly felt at home.
A Place to Grow
The House provided Nico and his family a place to heal, grow, and connect with other families with similar journeys.
Cristina
Nico’s motherFollowing his discharge from the hopsital, the House lit the way for Nico to experience many important firsts. Just two weeks after his transplant, Nico reminded his family of his fighting spirit and took his first steps in the playroom.
Cristina
Nico’s motherNico and his outgoing personality can often be heard running around the House, charming both guests and staff. “He made a lot of friends here,” Cristina says.
Supporting Their Journey
For Nico’s family, the House alleviated many of the stresses tied to the transplant journey. From figuring out what to eat for dinner to the added financial pressures, the House allowed them to focus solely on Nico’s recovery.
Annette
Nico’s GrandmotherBoth Cristina and Annette expressed their gratitude for the people who contribute financially to support the House.
Cristina
Above all, Cristina and Annette are most grateful for Nico’s organ donor for giving him the gift of life, and to all the organ donor heroes that make the miracle of transplant possible.
Your Support can Light the Path and help guide families like Nico’s back home.
By making a gift today, you are helping to “Light the Way Home” for the many families staying at the House this holiday season. Every donation, regardless of its size, makes a significant difference in these families’ lives, offering them hope and a path forward during their darkest hours.
Your support will help bridge the gap between our low nightly fee of $40 and the actual cost to provide our services, which is $175 a night. It will also help keep the promise of never turning away a family who cannot afford the nightly fee.
A special incentive to make your gift even more meaningful:
For those who donate $250 or more, your name will be placed on a beautifully crafted paper house, illuminated as a symbol of your support. They will be displayed around Gift of Life Howie’s House and serve as a reminder to our guests that there are compassionate individuals helping to ease their journey and “Light the Way Home”
If you can offer a special gift of $250 or more, you’ll also become a cherished member of the Family Circle.
When David Pierson became a donor family member in 2004 after losing his wife, he witnessed firsthand the compassionate work that is synonymous with the Gift of Life mission.
It wasn’t until he began serving on the governing board that he truly understood the full scope of what Gift of Life Donor Program and its affiliates accomplish. This experience also gave David greater insight into the services and care Gift of Life Howie’s House provides to transplant families. “Having been deeply involved with the organization, I witnessed the tremendous good that the House does,” he says.
Even after his board service concluded, David chose to remain close to the Gift of Life mission. He decided to include the House in his estate plans to help ensure that families will continue to benefit from the House for years to come.
“The House truly provides families with an opportunity to be together during challenging times. I am happy and proud to keep that going.”
Please join David Pierson as a member of the Legacy Society for Planned Giving.
We also invite those who have already included the House in their will or otherwise made a planned gift to inform us so we can celebrate your commitment. The story behind your generosity may also inspire others to take action.
You should consult with your tax advisor to determine the degree to which your gift may result in tax advantages to you, your estate, and your beneficiaries. The official registration and financial information of Transplant House d/b/a Gift of Life Howie’s House may be obtained from PA Dept. of State by calling toll free 1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Caregiver Lifeline Spotlight
Mia Moore, MSW
Social Worker
Gift of Life Howie’s House
During their transplant journey, many patients and caregivers experience financial stress. Chronic illness and transplants often provide little time for patients and their families to plan.
Causes of Financial Stress
Stress can often be defined as a state of worry or mental tension resulting from a challenging situation. It can impact your emotional and physical well-being in many ways, such as irritability or fatigue, and can potentially lead to anxiety or depression. With financial stress there is an emphasis on being in a state of worry or having mental or emotional strain because of issues such as budgeting, debt, or upcoming large expenses.
Many situations may arise that can cause financial stress during the transplant journey including reduced work hours or income, unexpected healthcare costs, increased travel or living expenses, lack of savings or
unforeseen emergencies.
Symptoms of Financial Stress
Symptoms of financial stress may look very similar to some reactions to your everyday stress or worries. However, due to this stress being a result of financial issues your symptoms have a direct impact on your feelings surrounding your finances. Some common symptoms are :
- Feelings of guilt when needing to spend money
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Lack of joy for things that you used to like doing
- Isolating yourself from others or avoiding phone calls
- Hopelessness regarding the future
- Feelings of shame
Ways to Manage Financial Stress
Consult with your hospital social worker to identify transplant-specific
financial resources
- Reach out to your bank or loan companies for resources for those
experiencing financial issues - Create a new monthly budget based on your income and new expenses
- Tend to your physical and emotional health like you would for
other stressors. Talk about it with close family or friends, reach out
to support groups and networks, talk to a counselor
Transplant Resources
Transplant costs vary and it is common for patients to use multiple resources to help pay for unexpected costs.
If you have issues obtaining your medications, concerns about medical costs or future coverage, or the cost of medical equipment, reach out to your transplant or dialysis social worker. There may be region-specific or organ-specific grants that you or your loved one may be eligible for.
Fundraising is also a great resource for supporting costs related to lodging, travel, and other medical expenses. The following organizations can aid with getting started:
- Help Hope Live: helphopelive.org or Phone: 800-642-8399
- Children’s Organ Transplantation Association: cota.org
or Phone: 800-366-2682 *Specifically for children and young adults
Stress is a normal part of life and finances are a common stressor for many transplant patients and caregivers. If you have trouble navigating some of the resources listed above, please email:
caregiverlifeline@giftoflifehowieshouse.org
1 BetterUp, Financial stress: What’s money got to do with sanity?, 2021: betterup.com/blog/financial-stress
2 Health Direct, Financial stress and your health, 2023: healthdirect.gov.au/financial-stress
Caregiver Lifeline Spotlight
Transplant patients can live for many decades after transplantation, and with that remarkable success and progress comes a need for personalized and multidisciplinary medicine that includes specialized dermatology care.
Organ transplant recipients have an increased risk of skin cancer because immunosuppressive medications that prevent transplanted organs from being rejected by the body also lower the body’s natural defenses against skin cancer. The most common type of skin cancer in transplant patients is squamous cell carcinoma. The good news is that if detected early, with good care these cancers can be managed and very often cured.
Transplant Dermatologists have a simple goal – no one should die of skin cancer after a second chance at life through organ donation.
How high is the risk of skin cancer in transplant patients?
One in five people without a transplant will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. That story is dramatically different for transplant patients. Transplant patients are 65 times more likely to get squamous cell carcinoma than people without a transplant. They are 10 times more likely to get basal cell carcinoma, the least serious type of skin cancer. And transplant patients are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop melanoma, a potentially more serious type of skin cancer.
Skin cancers in transplant patients can grow quickly and have an increased risk of spreading. That’s why having a good relationship with a dermatologist who specializes in transplant dermatology can be game changing. Prompt and expert dermatologic care, which often includes a specialized type of surgery called Mohs surgery for certain skin cancers, is crucial for transplant patients.
What can transplant patients do about the increased risk of skin cancer?
The most important thing to do to lower the chance of skin cancer is sun protection – sunscreen, sun protective clothing, hats and sunglasses. Go ahead and make that hat fashion statement. As with many cancers, early detection of skin cancer is an important factor for preventing serious complications and death. Fortunately, most skin cancers can be easily treated in outpatient settings. The most common way to treat skin cancers in sensitive areas like the face is with Mohs Surgery. Mohs offers the highest cure rate and is the most precise way to treat skin cancer with the best cosmetic outcomes after surgery.
Good transplant dermatology care also offers treatments and medications to help lower the chance of developing skin cancer in the first place.
How often should you see a board-certified transplant dermatologist after an organ transplant?
What time and experience have proven is that routine dermatology care is an essential part of organ transplant care. Every transplant patient should be seen by a board-certified dermatologist around the time of transplantation, not because skin cancer is looming, but to start learning about skin cancer and what to look for.
After that, the frequency of dermatology visits will be based on each person’s unique situation. For some, visits are needed every few months. Fortunately most transplant patients do very well with visits to the dermatologist every 6 to 12 months.
If you are a transplant patient, talk to your transplant coordinators and physicians about finding a dermatologist who has an interest in transplant dermatology. You can also look for a transplant dermatologist through the International Immunosuppression & Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative’s “Find a Transplant Dermatologist” tool.
Learn More About Transplant Dermatology
To learn more please watch Dr. Mark’s webinar presented through the Caregiver Lifeline Program
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