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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.

Mary McDonald of Nutrition 101 with Mary

To make the CHICKEN:

1 Tablespoon olive oil

2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon black pepper

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
Place the chicken in a large zip loc bag and add the marinade from step one. Let sit at least an hour.
Heat a large frying pan for1-2 minutes on medium high. Add the chicken and cook each side approximately 7-8 minutes per side (depending on the thickness of the chicken breast).
Place cooked chicken on a plate.

To make the RICE:

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 cup of brown rice

8 cups of water

1 lime, juiced

2 Tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

Directions:

Place the water in a sauce pot and heat until boiling.
Add the rice and cook for 30 minutes.
Drain the rice and rinse with water.
Place the rice back into the warm pot and cover. Let sit for an additional 20 minutes.
Sprinkle with lime juice.
Add cilantro to rice and mix. Place in a bowl.

To make the BEANS:

1 cup of pinto beans

2 Tablespoon of finely chopped onions

¼ teaspoon of garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon of pepper

½ cup of water

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a frying pan and heat on medium high heat until the water boils.
Turn to medium low and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the water disappears and the beans are soft. Place in a bowl.

To make the GUACAMOLE:

2 avocados

1 lime juiced

¼ tsp salt

2 Tablespoons diced onion

½ tsp. minced garlic

3 Tablespoons diced cilantro

1 pinch ground cayenne pepper

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt.
Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper.
Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately.

Combine to make the FRESH AND TASTY BURRITO BOWL:

Add rice to a bowl.
Top with chopped chicken.
Add beans.
Top with Monterey jack cheese.
Add guacamole.
Finish the bowl with lettuce.
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.

Denise Fegley, with her husband and caregiver Ken at her side, has spent more of the past year in the hospital rather than out. But when Denise got too sick for her local doctor’s care and was referred to a hospital in Philadelphia, the couple of 31 years thought they had hit a wall. Their new team of doctors was over two and a half hours away from home and they did not know anyone in Philadelphia. Then they heard about Gift of Life Howie’s House.

“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.”

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins

yield: 12 MUFFINS

1cup all-purpose flour

½ cup whole wheat flour

1 cup + 3 tablespoons rolled oats (reserve the 3 tablespoons for the tops)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 cups leftover cranberry sauce

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease a 12-cup standard-size muffin tin (or add liners).
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 cup oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, milk, vegetable oil and egg.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until blended.
Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups – about 3/4 to all the way full.
Sprinkle with the three tablespoons oats.
Bake for 20 minutes or until tops spring back when you touch them and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out dry.
Let cool for about five minutes. Serve.

Adapted from Serious Eats

Creamy Sweet Potato Soup

Yields: 6-8 servings

4 large sweet potatoes, baked , peeled and mashed

1 cup chopped onion

2-4 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger root

Olive oil for sautéing

4 cups of vegetable stock

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 ½ teaspoons pepper

2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 cup coconut milk (Trader Joe’s light coconut milk is very good)

Sautee onion and garlic in olive oil until tender (approx. 10 min.)
Add fresh ginger and saute 3 minutes longer.
Add mashed sweet potato, vegetable stock, salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and cumin.
Cook an additional 15 minutes.
Puree in batches in a blender careful to securely hold towel over lid (hot liquids tend to blow the top off a blender).
Alternately, puree using an immersion blender, if available.
If you like a smoother soup, pass the soup through a mesh sieve to separate out any remaining solids.
Place all soup back in pot and slowly stir in coconut milk. Heat through and serve.

For more information, please visit

www.morethymeforyou.com

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.

Here at Gift of Life Howie’s House, we are incredibly grateful for your support, both in this time of Thanksgiving and all year round, and in the spirit of the holidays, we would like to recognize how your generosity truly makes a difference.

THANKS TO YOU, our guests have a warm and caring home away from home where they have comfortable and safe rooms to sleep in and also home-cooked meals, transportation, and supportive services. Our Home Cook Heroes program has served more than 76,000 meals to date for our transplant patients and families. This program allows our guests to relax and not have to worry about having to prepare a hot meal after a strenuous day at the hospital. Additionally, the Caregiver Lifeline program ensures each guest feels supported emotionally and mentally while navigating through the transplant process.

THANKS TO YOU, our guests gain hope and strength by sharing their experiences with others who have walked in their shoes. Because we care for transplant patients and transplant caregivers specifically, Howie’s House guests are able to connect with others going through similar experiences and, as a result, gain a deeper understanding of their own transplant journey. The compassionate environment of the Howie’s House provides a network of support to each and every person who stays here.

THANKS TO YOU, we have never turned away a guest who could not afford our modest $40 nightly fee. Your support of our Adopt-A-Family Program makes this possible. Each $40 donation provides a one night stay for a transplant family, ensuring they are able to rest comfortably in a bed, rather than staying at a costly hotel, or worse, falling asleep in a hospital chair. The Adopt-A-Family Program also helps offset the difference between actually operating costs to house a family for one night ($160) and the $40 a night that families are asked to pay.

THANKS TO YOU, our guests who cannot go home for the holidays will not be alone this Thanksgiving.

As you gather with family and friends around the dinner table for a festive Thanksgiving meal, here at Gift of Life Howie’s House, transplant patients and families we will be doing the same – and giving thanks to you.

To make a tax-deductible year-end gift that will help us serve even more transplant families in their time of need, please click here.

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.”

The transplant journey affects those of all ages, and for Tatiana and Steve Orellana, their daughter’s transplant journey began at birth. Leiya Orellana is a bright-eyed 26-month-year-old baby who was diagnosed with Pulmonary Vein Stenosis at Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP). On December 5, 2012, Leiya was listed for a double-lung transplant. For the Tatiana and Steve, finding a pediatric lung for Leiya was a great cause of concern and distress, as they were not finding similar stories to their daughter. Fortunately, Leiya received a double-lung transplant and was discharged from the hospital on September 4, 2013- finally home-bound from a place Leiya has known since birth.

Throughout Leiya’s journey, Tatiana and her husband resided at the Gift of Life Howie’s House. As New Jersey natives, the close proximity to the Children’s Hospital from the Gift of Life Howie’s House was one less burden for the family. The Orellanas were able to sleep comfortably at the House and wake up well-rested for their long day at the hospital. During their stay, Tatiana was especially grateful for the level of understanding each House guest shared, as each of them are navigating through the transplant process.

“You go there and everyone understands. It is very comforting” Tatiana explains.

Throughout this process, there were moments when the Orellanas felt lost and confused, however, with a courageous spirit and support from the House, they were able to persevere and see their wishes come true.

Tatiana and Steve are happy to report that Leiya is doing better than ever! She is no longer reliant on a ventilator, and will hopefully have her tracheostomy removed soon. While she has had a developmental delay, Leiya is thriving as she is cognitively “caught up.” Through her various physical therapy sessions, Leiya is learning to physically advance and will be walking in no time. For the Orellana family, things are looking up every day. “It feels good to be on the other side of the transplant journey” Tatiana expresses. While this process was a bumpy road for the Orellanas, Leiya’s journey has been a life-changing experience. “Our baby teaches us about life everyday” Tatiana says- and what a precious gift that is.

Moving forward, they are excited to provide a helping hand to the Gift of Life Howie’s House transplant patients and families, as they understand the degree of stress this journey can entail. Specifically, the Orellanas hope to be Home Cook Heroes, a program where volunteer groups cook meals for the House guests each night, as that was an invaluable asset for the Orellanas when they were guests themselves. As a “home away from home” for transplant patients and caregivers, the Gift of Life Howie’s House always strives to provide our families with optimal care and comfort. While this process can be filled with uncertainty, the Orellana family demonstrates that there is success through the transplantation process, and the Gift of Life Howie’s House will always be there to provide comfort and support.