Howie's House Blog

“Cooking for the Howie’s House has helped us heal and move forward after losing Gary.  It feels good to give back and support where we can – even if it is only something as simple as preparing a home cooked meal for the residents.” – Trish Reichert, Donor Mom

My son Gary Reichert passed away suddenly on November 5, 2013 and by choosing to donate his organs, he gave the gift of life to four people and restored the sight of two more. We decided to start cooking at the Howie’s House in June of 2014 as a way to honor the lifesaving gift Gary gave to others and to help keep his memory alive.  “G$” was Gary’s nickname. We chose to name our group Team G$ when we first formed our team for the Donor DASH in early 2014. We decided to continue using it when we come to cook at the Howie’s House.

Team G$ has become a source of healing for all of us. Our group is made up of my son’s friends and family. His loving girlfriend Jennifer, sisters Shannon and Tiffany, cousins Sherry and Jessica, his great aunt and uncle Sara and Mercer, and Gary’s beloved niece Adriana all help make Team G$ a reality. And our team continues to grow—friends of friends and extended family members participate, some of them never having met Gary! The support and camaraderie of Team G$ and volunteering for the Howie’s House has become an outlet to help us all honor Gary’s memory and his gift to those he’s saved.

When we come to cook, we always try to do something different, something that hasn’t been made in a while for the house guests. We try to think out of the box.  In the past, we have served mozzarella stuffed meatballs, homemade Salisbury steaks, root beer floats, homemade soups, tuna casserole, Sloppy Joes. We want to make something comforting and delicious that the house guest would make in their own home for dinner.

Cooking for the Howie’s House has helped us heal and move forward after losing Gary.  It feels good to give back and support where we can – even if it is only something as simple as preparing a home cooked meal for the residents. We enjoy meeting and getting to know Howie’s House guests, staff and interns. We have a great time working together and preparing a meal for everyone to enjoy.  Every moment inside the Howie’s House is memorable.

By Talia Giordano, MSW, LSW

During the warmer months, many caregivers may wonder “Will I get a vacation this year?” Coordinating vacations can be difficult, especially if you are a caregiver to a transplant patient. It is common for caregivers to have fears about taking a transplant patient on vacation far from their primary care doctor, transplant team and pharmacy. Caregivers may also feel guilt when taking a vacation without the patient. A vacation can be vital for many people because it allows for relaxation from a hectic schedule. It also can allow a caregiver to regroup and re-energize for whatever their tasks are when they return. Below are some tips that may be helpful when planning for time away.

1. Talk to the medical team and ask for resources – The medical team may have suggestions for prescriptions or other medical issues you may encounter while you and the patient are away. Your medical team may also be able to direct you to medical assistance in the area to where you will be traveling. Lastly, if you are traveling without the patient, it is important to inform the medical team that you will be away and that someone else will be assisting the patient during your absence.
2. Talk with friends, family and other support systems – Similar to talking with the patient’s medical team, it is important you let your support systems know of your plans so they can step in to assist as needed. Caregivers sometimes find it difficult to ask others for help, but your friends and family want to help, they just may not know how. Be specific with your requests – don’t just say “I could really use your help while I’m away.” Instead ask, “Would you be able to help me by taking [the transplant patient] to their doctor appointment at [this time].” Being specific about your needs will give you relief, knowing certain tasks are being handled, and it will help others to understand exactly how they can help.
3. Take time off even if you can’t take a vacation – Many caregivers feel that time off needs to be spent taking care of the patient and this is untrue. All caregivers must take time for themselves to relax. Even if you are unable to take a vacation you may be able to take a “staycation.” A “staycation” is when you take time off for yourself and stay local. During this time you can still do things you love and plan for local trips to museums, parks, or events in your area.
4. RELAX! – A vacation is a time for you to relax, re-energize and regroup. Use these tips to plan ahead so that during your time off you can focus on yourself. Enjoy the people, places and things you love and HAVE FUN!

For more information, email CaregiverLifeline@GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org

Gift of Life Howie’s House is privileged and grateful to be selected as a 2015 Teva Community Partner in Pennsylvania.

Teva Pharmaceuticals is a global pharmaceutical company specializing in generic and specialty pharmaceuticals. Teva is committed to improving not only the healthcare of their consumers—approximately one out of every eight pharmaceutical prescriptions is filled with a Teva product—but to improving the health of the communities they serve. Through selected yearly community partnerships, Teva supports patient and caregiver focused organizations with a goal to improve overall healthcare around the globe.

The partnership opportunity was introduced by Teva Associate Manager and CSC Study Leader Charles “Chuck” Loshnowsky. Featured in the Howie’s House Spring 2015 Newsletter, Chuck and his wife Nicki have found that volunteering over the last ten years has helped them immensely on their journey towards healing after the loss of their son Collin in 2004. First volunteering with the Gift of Life Donor Program and more recently with the Howie’s House, the Loshnowskys choose to honor their son Collin with acts of compassion and generosity.

After being struck by a car, five-year-old Collin was taken from this world far too soon, but his incredible spirit is still felt as strongly as ever. Collin not only saved the lives of five people by donating his two kidneys, intestine, liver and heart, but his legacy, carried on through the kindness and selflessness of his family, has touched countless lives over the last decade. Collectively known as Team Captivated by Collin’s Smile, the Loshnowskys and friends have truly made an impact on the Gift of Life community.  Regular Home Cook Hero and DASH participants, Team Captivated by Collin’s Smile has also hosted wish list drives and competed in the Transplant Games of America in memory of Collin.

This past November for Collin’s 10^th “Angel-versary”, Nicki Loshnowsky created a special Facebook campaign in remembrance of her young son. “10 Random Acts of Kindness for Collin Loshnowsky” came to Nicki on one particularly difficult evening, giving her something positive to focus on and look forward to, an idea she firmly believes Collin planted in her head as his way to give her hope. Team Captivated by Collin’s Smile participated in the Howie’s House’s Home Cook Heroes program ten times before the end of 2014 as their official ten acts, though their kindness far exceeds that every visit they make to the Howie’s House.

The Home Cook Heroes program provides delicious, fully prepared and nutritious meals for Howie’s House guests to enjoy after long days spent at the hospital, bringing a great deal of relief to the transplant families who often do not have the time, resources or energy to cook themselves.

As community partners, Teva Pharmaceuticals will not only support the Howie’s House through a financial contribution, but their employees will also be volunteering regularly on-site, all thanks to the Loshnowskys’ introduction. Different departments within Teva will visit the Howie’s House during the year.

In another act of true generosity, on the 21^st of May 2015, Gift of Life Howie’s House officially unveiled the vestibule, newly underwritten as a gift from Teva Pharmaceuticals in memory of Collin Loshnowsky. Serving as the main entrance to the Howie’s House, the vestibule will now welcome Howie’s House guests in the spirit of Collin, his infectious smile and his wonderful “belly laugh.”

Says Nicki, “[As a donor family] so much of our healing has been because of the positive effects we have witnessed first-hand through organ donation… as well as the many wonderful people we have met on this journey.”

Gift of Life Howie’s House is honored to be a part of the healing process for all of our families— transplant and donor—and are excited to welcome Teva Pharmaceuticals as a community partner. It is through community support and corporate sponsorship that Gift of Life Howie’s House is able to help brighten thousands of transplant patients and their families’ journey to wellness by providing a “home away from home” to all of our guests.

Combine to make the FRESH AND TASTY BURRITO BOWL:

1. Add rice to a bowl.
2. Top with chopped chicken.
3. Add beans.
4. Top with Monterey jack cheese.
5. Add guacamole.
6. Finish the bowl with lettuce.
7. Enjoy!

Recipe by Mary McDonald of Nutrition101withMary.com, adapted from DIY Chipotle Burrito Bowl

“The Gift of Life Howie’s House provides a service that no one else can. It isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a family.” –Denise, liver transplant recipient and current House guest.

“It’s weird how things fell into place” Denise recalls. It was twice that Denise received the call of a possible liver, and both times just as she was about to leave her local hospital for the day. The second call came on New Year’s Eve. Ken had been playing a show with his band Double Talk when his daughter burst in mid-set with the announcement. Ken sat his guitar down and left with a standing ovation to make his way to Philadelphia. It was not only a new year, but a new chance at life.

For Ken, the Gift of Life Howie’s House shows just how large the transplant community is, and how difficult the transplant journey can be. ‘”The average person does not understand just how deep the transplant journey is.” He continues, “They should come and listen to the stories here.”  And Denise and Ken say they are happy that they found a place where they could go where everyone just gets it. “We’ve seen the good and the bad. Sat and chatted with people. Cried with people. Prayed with people.”

Denise and Ken feel that the House provides a service that no one else can—for the patient, the caregiver, and the whole family. The House gives them an opportunity to meet people in similar situations who understand them and what they were going through. The Caregiver Lifeline Program has been especially helpful for Ken, where he gets to participate in support groups led by Gift of Life Howie’s House’s licensed social worker. Ken finds these groups very comforting during the stressful transplant journey. Denise says she feels comfortable here too, “There’s always someone here, I never feel alone”. And when their son Ken Jr. came to visit over Thanksgiving break, Denise said it changed him forever. She said he was so impressed by the warmth and blown away by the support that he will never be able to forget his experience here.

The Fegleys have bright plans for their future together. They are looking forward to finally getting the opportunity to travel. The couple had originally planned to see the world after they both retired but when Denise got sick, they thought it would never be possible. But now, after receiving the gift of life, the two plan to travel and enjoy some stress-free time together. Their dream trip would be to go to the South Pacific! Denise and Ken also look forward to becoming grandparents. They want to give back to the Howie’s House in whatever way they can, but especially through the Home Cook Heroes program. “The one thing we can do is cook.”

It can take just one person to inspire meaningful change, and at the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ, for many students that one person is Arthur Thomas. Arthur is a heart transplant recipient who shared his transplant story with the student body six years ago. Moved by his life-saving experience, students Taylor Bloom and Mary Hopkins heard it as a call to action to raise awareness about organ donation, and from there, the Lives Saving Lives Club was created. With Arthur as its faculty adviser, the club has blossomed into a successful, student-run initiative to raise awareness and funds for organ donation.

Now, with nearly 30 active members, the Lives Saving Lives Club holds a number of fundraisers, including a raffle giveaway and the Annual Organ Donor Awareness Benefit Dinner. Much like the club itself, this benefit dinner is completely student-operated. From the string quartet performance to the four-course meal, these young leaders work tirelessly to make this a memorable evening – and what a success! This past year, the dinner raised $5,000 for the transplant patients and families of Gift of Life Howie’s House, proving their hard work has truly paid off.

Since 2009, these motivated students have raised an incredible $27,400 for the Howie’s House! Their outstanding support and dedication to our mission helps provide our guests with comfortable lodging, hot meals, a fully stocked pantry, a free shuttle service and so much more. Such support helps alleviate stress our patients and families face day-to-day – mentally, physically and emotionally. To further support the Howie’s House, the Lives Saving Lives Club has also served as wonderful Home Cook Heroes, cooking a delicious meal for our guests.

This past month, the Howie’s House was happy to receive a visit from Arthur and four other Lives Saving Lives Club members. Arthur was proud to
show these dedicated students how their fundraising efforts directly impact the Howie’s House. It all came full circle for these students when they saw their permanent paver located in our Legacy Garden that states, “The Lawrenceville School Proudly Supports Gift of Life Howie’s House.”

While Arthur did not stay at the Howie’s House himself, he emphasizes the importance of providing support to transplant patients and their families, as he has a firsthand understanding of the difficulties they may be experiencing. “Anything we can do to make their lives easier is worth it,” says Arthur. These students demonstrate that age is only a number when it comes to effectively creating change in the lives of our guests. Thank you to Arthur and all of the students of the Lawrenceville School for bringing the Lives Saving Lives Club to fruition and supporting our mission!

Nicki Loshnowsky never anticipated having to designate her five-year-old son, Collin, as an organ donor. And yet, in November 2004, the Loshnowsky family faced a heart-wrenching decision after Collin was struck by a car and suffered severe head trauma. With their world flipped upside down, the Loshnowsky’s found some light in a tragic situation by choosing donation, and subsequently saving five different lives by donating Collin’s intestine, two kidneys, liver and heart – true gifts of life. Through the Loshnowsky’s active involvement with Gift of Life Donor Program and Gift of Life Howie’s House, they have found means to heal, as well as to celebrate Collin’s wonderful life, all the while promoting the incredible impacts of organ donation.

Over the last 10 years, the Loshnowsky family has been involved in a number of Gift of Life initiatives in Collin’s memory. At the Transplant Games of America, an Olympic-style athletic competition for transplant recipients, organ donors and donor families, the Loshnowsky family has been an integral member of Team Philadelphia as honoring their son and connecting with other families who have found themselves on the same side of transplantation. At the Dash for Organ and Tissue Donation, the family bans together as team “Captivated by Collin’s Smile” to demonstrate, through strength in numbers, how organ donation saves lives. The Loshnowsky family will always remember Collin’s infectious smile and his wonderful “belly laugh.”

This past November was Collin’s 10^th “Angelversary”, and the Loshnowsky family chose to honor his life by inspiring individuals to perform ten random acts of kindness. Doing their own part, the Loshnowsky family has made it their fervent goal to participate in the Howie’s House Home Cook Heroes program 10 times by the end of 2014, preparing meals for the Howie’s House transplant patients and their families. It is through this program that they are able to share experiences and stories with the guests – what Nicki always looks forward to most. The Loshnowsky’s Home Cook Hero meal on December 2^nd will be an extra special dinner in honor of Collin’s 16^th birthday.

The support provided by the Loshnowsky family never ceases to amaze us, as they have also hosted successful Wish List Drives in memory of Collin to further support the Howie’s House mission. While Collin cannot be here today, his name and memory will forever be honored through the family’s dedication to Gift of Life.

To learn more about how you can participate in Collin’s 10^th “Angelversary”, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/529946973806475/. And don’t forget to share Collin’s story this holiday season as you partake in your own random acts of kindness – just use the hashtag “#cjl10years” when posting on your social media pages.

It’s a weekday evening at the Howie’s House, and as dinner comes to an end, you may find guests gathering together for evening activities.  This program, completely run by volunteers, provides a much needed time of relaxation and fun for those who may have had a long day (or days) at the hospital.  This fall has been full of fun events, including still life drawing and painting, crocheting and knitting classes, and even a performance by a musician!  Howie’s House guests enjoy the opportunity to socialize as well as to create or learn something new.

“The ability to express oneself and emotions that are felt, on paper, can be so healing and pleasing. The process is as important as the art produced.  And anyone is capable of producing their own art.” -Arlene Bonnet, Howie’s House Activity Volunteer

Howie’s House activity volunteer Arlene says, “I happen to love the interactions I’ve had with the people I have met at the house.  The individual stories that have been shared with me have really touched me and the connection I have felt in the process was very meaningful to me.  And if even one participant in each art class can experience two hours of peace or enjoyment in the middle of their stressful week, it is so worth it to me to continue.”

The Howie’s House is always looking for creative minds to come up with new and entertaining after dinner activities.  It could be an arts or craft project, music, cooking demonstration, or speaking on a topic, we’d love to hear your ideas!

If you’d like to join volunteers like Arlene in this unique volunteer experience please contact Kari Rowe, Volunteer Coordinator at krowe@donors1.org or call 215-557-8090.

“We fell in love with the Gift of Life Howie’s House early on,” says Jim Carns, lung transplant recipient. “As a patient, it helped me get a better understanding that I was not alone, that there are other people who are going through the same thing as I am.”

When Jim and Karen Carns first made the trip from their Harrisburg home to Philadelphia in preparation for the lung transplant Jim desperately needed, they had many worries on their mind. But there was one thing they did not have to worry about — where to stay. They arrived at Gift of Life Howie’s House to find a warm and welcoming “home away from home” where their every need was met.  As Karen states, “From the time we first went there, we felt very welcomed by the staff. They knew it was stressful to us coming there, with what we were facing. And it was comforting for Jim to know that I was in a safe environment.”

The Carns were among the more than 450 families going through the organ transplant process who stayed with us last year. The number of families we serve continues to climb as more families are referred to us from transplant programs throughout Greater Philadelphia.

Jim describes the Gift of Life Howie’s House as a “God-send.” Jim and Karen now stay with us when they come to Philadelphia every few months for doctor visits. In gratitude for their experiences at the House, they have become members of our Family Circle with a generous contribution of their own in order to support our daily operations.

Jim and Karen, both retired, are now busy visiting with their four children and eight grandchildren across the country, and resuming their involvement in their church and local community. They recently enjoyed a cruise to Alaska that would not have been possible just a short time ago. Both are deeply committed to finding a cure for pulmonary fibrosis, the disease that led to Jim’s lung transplant, and to helping Gift of Life Howie’s House serve other transplant families in need. Explains Jim, “The House is a facility that we hope most people won’t need to seek out, but it’s important for people to know that it’s there if they need it.”

Following the birth of her son, Martha Gonzalez found herself experiencing a journey she never anticipated – the transplant journey. Martha’s 8-year-old son, Daniel Torres, needed a liver transplant at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP) when he was only a few months old. While his transplant was a success, the transplant journey does not end there. This past year, the Gonzalez family wanted to find an available and accessible place to stay for Daniels hospital visits, and as a resident of New Jersey, Martha was concerned about the long trips to the hospital. Between medical bills and hotel stays, this was not looking to be a low-budget process by any means. And then she found Gift of Life Howie’s House – an affordable alternative offering supportive services to help her navigate the transplant journey.
Unlike an ordinary hotel, Gift of Life Howie’s House caters specifically to the needs of transplant patients and their families – mentally, physically and emotionally. With the complexities of the transplant process, Martha quickly realized this would not be a journey she could endure on her own, nor should she have to.  She found solace through her immediate connection to the resident social worker and was an active participant in the support groups offered at the House. In these groups, connections are fostered between caregivers and transplant patients – as well as between other families facing similar transplant experiences – through open discussion and understanding. The Howie’s House social worker has an open-door policy where no voice or concern goes unheard. “She was a great listener and gave me a lot of tips on how to manage my stress” said Martha. From financial assistance to emotional support, Martha was able to comfortably settle into her “home away from home.”

To add to a caregiver’s list of woes, traveling with children can also be a cause of stress. Yet, after given a tour, Martha’s two children found an instant source of joy through the Howie’s House playroom, which is equipped with a Foosball table, a TV, a plethora of DVDs and videogames, and various children’s toys and board games. Martha remarked that the children felt like they were on vacation with all the amenities offered. Martha graciously accepted the extra perks that the Howie’s House offered, especially when it came to the home-cooked meals. For families navigating the transplant process, cooking dinner after a long and tiring day at the hospital is often the last thing on their minds. With the Home Cook Heroes program, where dinner is served by community volunteers every night at 6:00 pm, along with a fully stocked pantry of donated goods – including foods that catered to her son’s allergies – Martha never had to worry about figuring out where to get a bite to eat in Philadelphia. “And if we didn’t make it to dinner, there were always leftovers” Martha explained.

Each day my family was welcomed by a wonderful team of volunteers, a social worker who was available at any given time, an exceptional staff, and a President with a huge heart who spends time and shares moments with the families during his visits to the House.
In short, Gift of Life was our home for 4 months, providing support to my family during such a difficult time. We have no way to repay all the love and compassion, all the services that we received in this wonderful place. Today I can say that this house provides everything a family might need in such a difficult time as the one we went through.

Having had such a positive experience during their initial stay at the Howie’s House, the Gonzalez family returned for Daniel’s follow-up appointments at CHOP. While the transplant surgery itself was behind them, there was still the recovery process, which for some can often drag on and be as daunting as the surgery itself. In the emotional roller coaster that is the transplant journey, Martha will be the first to stress the importance of community support. Volunteers and contributors are the backbone of Gift of Life Howie’s House, where individuals like Martha and her family are able to feel safe, cared for, and understood. From the volunteers who cook meals, drive the Howie’s House shuttles, restock the pantry and organize fundraising events, to Howie’s House contributors and the members of our Family Circle and Founders’ Circle, there is not a single effort or gift that goes unnoticed or taken for granted. It is because of the support of the community that we can provide a “home away from home” to families like the Gonzalez family. When we touched base with Martha last week, she remarked, “Daniel is doing great… and he is healthy.”

Click here to read more from the transplant patients and families at Gift of Life Howie’s House!

News & Events

Foxwynd Foundation Provides Historic Matching Gift for Giving Tuesday

Gift of Life Howie's House recently received a historic matching gift from the Foxwynd Foundation!

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A Night to Remember: Friends for Life Fundraiser Lights Up Collingswood

Bee-a-Blessing hosted their annual Friends for Life fundraiser at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom.

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20th Annual Kidney Open Golf Golf Outing

Thank you for making our 20th Annual Kidney Open Golf Outing a great success!

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Heroes Among Us

CELEBRATING THE HEROES WHO MAKE THE MISSION POSSIBLE

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Securing Comfort for Transplant Patients and their Families

Supporting the enhancement of the security system at the House

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Celebrating Success: Strokes of Kindness Art Contest and Fundraiser

Gift of Life Howie’s House is thrilled to announce the winners of Strokes of Kindness Art Contest

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