Howie's House Blog
Major Milestone Alert!
Today, John and his group are celebrating their 100th visit of coming to cook in our kitchen! This is an amazing accomplishment and a true testament to the generosity and dedication of John and his group in serving transplant families at the House.
John Schmid and his volunteer group, “Friends of Bear”, are familiar faces here at the House. John, affectionately nicknamed, “Bear”, has been coming to cook in our kitchen since 2018. He started involving his family and friends, and has since become a prolific Home Cook Hero All-Star.
Thank you to the entire Friends of Bear community for your unwavering support of our mission!
On the eve of Thanksgiving, the Neshaminy Ice Hockey community hosted its 7th Annual Gannon Cup in memory of Patrick Gannon and Phillip Oseredzuk.
This annual event honors two former ice hockey players who tragically passed away and went on to become organ donor heroes. This special fundraiser reached a new milestone, raising over $10,300 to support Gift of Life Howie’s House! This fundraiser continues to be a significant occasion within the Neshaminy ice hockey community, remembering Patrick and Phillip, and ensuring their legacy lives on for years to come.
With the funds raised, the event will once again sponsor a guest room at the House in memory of Patrick and Phillip. Thank you to this amazing community for its ongoing support of our mission.
Dear Friends,
I hope you are having a restful holiday filled with good food, shared memories, and quality time spent with loved ones.
I am grateful to be celebrating a new lease on life for both myself and my husband, Don, who received a life-saving lung transplant. Just two years ago, however, our future was much less certain. During the 2022 holiday season, I was staying at Gift of Life Howie’s House while Don remained in the hospital, undergoing his lung transplant and recovery.
Despite being alone for many weeks, I never felt lonely. Someone at the House always offered a smile, sat with me, or provided encouraging words.
I will never forget waking up on Christmas morning and finding a lovely Christmas gift bag outside my door. Knowing I wasn’t alone brought tears to my eyes. After being at the hospital all day, I was welcomed back to the House that evening with a delicious Christmas dinner, in their beautiful and festive dining room.
Two years ago, we received our Christmas miracle – a lung transplant for Don. Since then, we have enjoyed precious memories – celebrating our granddaughters’ birthdays, traveling, watching our daughter renew her wedding vows, and so much more.
None of this would have been possible without the generous gift of Don’s lung donor, the resources we received during our journey, and the many people like you who make this important mission possible.
If you haven’t done so already, please consider helping families like mine who will be away from home today. My husband and I will forever be grateful for the care we received at the Gift of Life Howie’s House, and with your gift, you can ensure other families will receive the same support.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Warm regards,
Linda Price
Anthony Rojas was born a healthy child in Long Island, New York. Around the age of 3 he unfortunately developed Bronchiolitis obliterans, a severe lung disease, after contracting two different viruses.
As his symptoms worsened he was transferred to a nursing facility in New York. His doctors suggested he see a pulmonologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and his family began traveling to Philadelphia for his primary care.
As his symptoms worsened he was transferred to a nursing facility in New York. His doctors suggested he see a pulmonologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and his family began traveling to Philadelphia for his primary care.
He was listed for a lung transplant at 4½ years old but was removed from the list after a year when his health stabilized. Despite this, he continued to get sick often and required constant hospital stays, once even traveling by helicopter to Philadelphia for emergency care.
“We basically lived in the hospitals,” his mom, Lucy, said.
Anthony remained at the nursing facility until he was 8 years old. In July of 2022 he was relisted for a transplant after his lung function declined. After two years of waiting, Anthony received his life-saving lung transplant in June of this year.
EASING THEIR STRESS
Anthony’s mom Lucy learned about Gift of Life Howie’s House when he was first listed for a lung transplant. When Lucy arrived, she was alone and unsure of what to expect.
“You walk in not knowing anyone or what to expect. On top of that you’re thinking about the transplant, recovery and appointments…
… but as soon as you arrive, everyone greets you, welcomes you and makes you feel comfortable,” Lucy explains.
Before discovering the House, the family would leave New York early in the morning to make Anthony’s appointments in Philadelphia and drive back the same day. If Anthony had to stay overnight, they would need to find a hotel, which would add to their emotional and financial stress.
Because of the House, Lucy and her family had an affordable, comfortable place to call home surrounded by people who understood their journey. “It was a huge relief… seeing others with a common problem and who have been through something similar makes you feel safer and more protected,” Lucy says.
A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE
After spending more than half of his life in the hospital, 10-year-old Anthony finally returned home this past August. Although he remained positive throughout his journey, Anthony is excited to enjoy normal kid activities without the burden of his oxygen.
Upon arriving home Anthony jumped into playing soccer and other games with his younger brother, Dylan. He also enjoys playing the piano which helped him through the most difficult times in the hospital. Lucy says that watching his growth and strength throughout his journey has been inspiring.
“If he is strong it means I have to be stronger,” she emphasizes. Lucy is also looking forward to the holidays. This will be the first time in years her family can celebrate without worrying about Anthony’s oxygen needs. Most importantly she expresses her gratitude to the House and its staff for helping her family throughout their journey.
This year numerous families will stay at the House over the holidays, and we need your help to ensure they are provided with affordable lodging, meals and important services during the transplant journey.
“I am thankful that I was introduced to the House. It’s a wonderful, peaceful and welcoming environment,
and has been a great help,”
Every gift regardless of its size will mean the world to these families. Knowing they have a community of support behind them will bring much-needed hope during their darkest times. Your gift today will help keep the fees low by bridging the gap between the modest nightly fee of $40 and the actual cost of providing services, which now exceeds $200.
For families like Anthony’s, the House is an essential part of their path back home. Help continue to support their journey and many others by making a gift today.
If you can offer a special gift of $250 or more, you’ll also become a cherished member of the Family Circle.
Interested in supporting our Adopt-A-Family Program?
As we wrap up #NationalCaregiversMonth, we’d like to continue the theme of giving thanks by sharing this heartwarming quote from Dana Nelson, a past guest and transplant recipient, about his wife and caregiver, Donna.
“Donna is very important to my transplant journey; she keeps me grounded and focused. She puts up with my mood swings, comforts me when I’m feeling down, she handles problems with insurance, and makes sure I keep my appointments straight. We have been married for almost 25 years, and we never thought our lives would change in an instant. She has been strong and courageous throughout this whole rollercoaster of a ride. I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side, she’s the best.”
Please shout-out a special caregiver below to show them how thankful you are!
Each year, many individuals are faced with the task of creating a will, yet many might find themselves putting off this important task. With National Make-A-Will Month approaching, there is no better time to address this crucial aspect of life planning. Make-A-Will Month serves as a suitable reminder of the importance of estate planning and ensuring that your wishes are legally documented and honored. The benefits of creating a will extend far past the peace of mind that it provides.
Throughout the month of August, we are encouraging individuals to plan ahead and create/update their will. Creating a will does not only entail distributing assets, but also making sure that your wishes are carried out accordingly. Without a will, the state in which you reside has control over your assets and decides where they should be distributed, which may not always align with your wishes. Having a will reduces stress and heartache for your loved ones who are already faced with grief and loss.
While the process of creating a will may seem long and tedious, it is not as time-consuming as you’d think. With the right legal assistance and resources, the process can run very smoothly.
Here at the House, you can ensure the future success of our mission by joining the Legacy Society for Planned Giving. By making a planned gift, you will help to ensure that we can maintain our affordable fees and a broad array of services for all who need us, now and in the future. Legacy Society Member, Sean, emphasized the importance of giving back. “If you really care about a cause or a charity, its good to be able to donate every year, but when you’re gone, those donations stop. If you care about a cause enough to support it, I think its important to keep supporting it even after you’re gone,” Sean explained. Visit the Legacy Society for Planned Giving page here to learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of the transplant families we serve.
We hope that you will celebrate National Make-A-Will Month this August by making a planned gift to support our mission.
Balancing caregiving for a transplant patient and being a mom can feel like an overwhelming task. Jessica shares her experiences of caring for her son facing the unimaginable challenge of heart failure and the urgent need for a heart transplant.
Jessica, Mother of CJ
Q: How have you managed emotionally since CJ has been sick for so many years?
A:It’s hard because I’ve seen him go through this for years, and I can’t fix it. Especially because he wants to be normal and do normal things, and he can’t. It’s mentally and emotionally draining after all these years. I try not to stretch myself too thin, which is important for any mom. When he is hospitalized, I try to take a walk when he is doing well. I have also met other moms with kids in similar situations, which has been helpful. I have people checking in on me every day by phone and text. As a family we try to focus on the positives and enjoy the times we do have because things could be so much worse. I want to preserve the time we have with CJ and focus on the good things as long as I can.
Q: CJ has had a heart condition since birth; he’s now 11 years old, with an LVAD and has been waiting for a heart transplant for almost three years. You also have four other daughters (13, 12, 9, and 6 years old). How do you balance being a mom to your son and three daughters with everything going on?
A: It’s very hard. Our church family helps us with so many things. There were times where he was hospitalized for really long periods. Between 2022 and 2023 he was hospitalized for just about an entire a year, and we had family to support our other daughters. My husband and I try to work as a team to be there for the kids, though it’s hard when we can’t be there together when CJ is at the hospital and the girls are at home. We try to find the little things and moments, like all of us FaceTiming every morning and every night and visiting on weekends.
Q: How has it been for you knowing another mom and family will be grieving a loss when CJ receives his heart transplant?
A: I would never want another child to get ill or be hurt, especially since having my own children and a child who has an illness. When CJ was getting listed for a heart, a nurse encouraged us to think of it differently, that we’re not praying for another child to die for CJ to live, we’re praying for that child’s loved one to have the strength to say yes to donation by blessing CJ with the gift of life in their time of their tragedy. I still struggle thinking about it, especially during the times when CJ has gotten “calls,” but we still pray for those families regardless of whether they would go on to become a donor for CJ.
You can provide hope to the thousands of people like CJ who are waiting for a transplant. Learn more and sign up at www.donors1.org/register
A heartfelt thanks go out to all the talented artists who shared their creations and to the hundreds of community members who generously contributed to the voting process.
Thanks to your support, over $15,000 was raised to benefit Gift of Life Howie’s House. These funds will play a crucial role in ensuring that the House can continue offering affordable lodging, meals, transportation, and supportive services to transplant patients and their families who travel to Philadelphia for life-saving medical care.
Congratulations to the Contest Winners!
Let’s celebrate the remarkable talent showcased in this year’s contest. Congratulations to the winners:
First Place
Nancy St. John
Renaissance, Study #2
Second Place
Kelly Brown
From Loss, Comes Hope
Third Place
Jeff Feeny
Postcard
Stay tuned for more updates and events as we continue our mission of sharing kindness and support to the transplant community.
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!
Joe Eitl is a Montgomery County native born with congenital heart disease. He and his family were told that he would not live past 3 years old, and that transplant would never be an option. Joe defied the odds and lived a normal, active life until he was 38 years old and his health started to decline. He was listed for a heart and liver transplant, and in November of 2020, Joe received his miraculous gifts of life. Joe lives with Down Syndrome, and due to the nature of his transplant he had many complications following his procedure. He was in and out of the hospital for over a year post-transplant, and his parents, Peg and Craig, relied on Gift of Life Howie’s House for a safe place to stay where they could be close to Joe.
“Our days start at around 7:30 or 8’clock in the morning and don’t end until 7:30 or 8’clock at night, and that’s on a good day… we were dreading the idea that we would be a two hour commute every day both ways.” – Peg Eitl, Joe’s mom and caregiver.
While staying at the House, Peg and Craig received access to home cooked meals, one-on-one counseling, and a private room and bathroom to decompress in at the end of the day. The services that the House provides allowed Joe’s family to feel taken care of so they can focus on what’s most important, taking care of their loved one.
Joe is now 3 years post-transplant and is back at home doing the things he loves which includes spending time with friends and family and rooting on his beloved Philadelphia sports teams.
“To say that the House was a saving a grace is an understatement,” says Peg.
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