Howie's House Blog

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.

It is never too early to start volunteering in your community, and young Faria Rehman is a perfect example of that. Faria is a 10^th grade student at Friends’ Central School and native of Villanova, PA. This past June, Faria led her student group “Team Wave” to support the Gift of Life Howie’s House by raising an incredible $1,400 to benefit our Adopt-A-Family Program. This program helps cover the cost of lodging for guests who are unable to pay the $40 nightly fee, and also helps offset the difference between what guests are asked to pay and actual operating costs of $160 to house a family for one night. It is only through the support of community efforts, like that of Faria Rehman and Team Wave, that the Gift of Life Howie’s House is able to stand by our commitment to never turn an individual away – regardless of their ability to pay.

(From left to right) Laurel, Inaya, Sarinah, Tori, Faria, Grace, Pallavi and Chris

Team Wave was born from Spark the Wave, an organization that empowers teens to channel their creative minds and produce a service project for a nonprofit of their choice. Thousands of students throughout the country band together to support a cause they believe in, and lucky for us, Faria and her team found Gift of Life Howie’s House.

18 years ago, Faria’s older sister, Sabrina, received a liver transplant at a local children’s hospital. As a family member of a transplant recipient, Faria was able to motivate her team through her personal connection to our mission. Faria has also attended the annual Dash for Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness, an event that continues to demonstrate the incredible community support for spreading awareness about the importance of organ donation.

Faria fostered an even deeper connection to transplant patients and families by visiting Gift of Life Howie’s House this past June. “I can’t believe that something that started so small could help families in such a major way,” Faria stated. After receiving a tour of our facility, Faria exclaimed that she is excited to continue supporting the House and already has plans to start her next project, especially now that she has seen the direct impact her contributions have made.

Gift of Life Howie’s House is excited to see what Faria is planning next to further support our mission. As a model leader for teens, and those of all ages, let Faria’s story serve as an inspiration and organize a fundraiser yourself! The Gift of Life Howie’s House is now an official partner of Crowdrise – an online platform that makes fundraising simple, accessible and fun! For fundraising ideas, click here and get involved today to help support the courageous transplant patients and families who stay at Gift of Life Howie’s House!

A big THANK YOU again to Faria and Team Wave for your inspirational support of the Gift of Life Howie’s House!

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!

April is National Donate Life Month! To celebrate this month and to help spread the importance of organ and tissue donation we would like to share an incredible story from past guest, Maribel Rodriguez.

Last May, Maribel and Angel Rodriguez, along with their two sons, Queniel and Kenneth, left their home in Puerto Rico and came to Philadelphia so that Kenneth could receive transplant care at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Read more about their transplant journey and sign up to be an organ donor today!

L to R: Kenneth, Maribel, Queniel and Angel Rodriguez.

“It was the 5^th of August in 2011 when he came into our lives: Kenneth. After just one day, we knew we were the parents of a special boy. As days went by, we discovered that Kenneth had liver disease, but we didn’t yet understand the extent of his illness or how it might impact his future.

When Kenneth was just 9 months old, his blood samples were sent to Cincinnati, and it was then that we discovered that Kenneth suffered from Alagille syndrome. The sickness was affecting several of his organs and causing pain in his bile ducts. His Bilirubin levels were rising quickly, which was affecting his liver.

The fight continued and on April 16, 2013, we found out that our baby needed a liver transplant, much sooner than we had anticipated. While weighing all of our options, a door opened: at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia there existed a team of doctors specializing in Alagille Syndrome, with the highest rates of successful liver transplants for children in the entire nation.

We made the decision to travel here, with the help of God. The question was, where would we stay? We knew no one in Philadelphia, we didn’t have money, and we both had to leave our jobs, our home, our car… But, with faith, we decided to go with what we didn’t know, what we couldn’t see.

It was then, on a day when I was desperately searching for information on the internet that we came across Gift of Life Howie’s House. I called and they immediately came to our aid, reaching out to volunteers who spoke Spanish so that we could communicate effectively.

Then, on May 25, 2013, we arrived at this beautiful home, a huge blessing for families in difficult situations like the one my family and I were in, welcoming us with love and dedication, the House surpassed my expectations.

The Howie’s House provided us with meals, much of which were prepared by volunteers and company groups, with dinner every night at 6:00 PM for all of the families. You have no idea what a blessing it is to be able to come back after a long day in the hospital and receive these home-cooked meals. The House also provided the House transportation to our appointments, a toy room for our kids which was the most fun thing for them, a laundry room to be able to wash our clothes, a Serenity Room to be close to God, a pantry full of food for those families who want to prepare their own meals.

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.

On December 15, 2013, the phone rang! We never could have imagined that this would be the big day! The day that we had been waiting for ever since Kenneth was born. An organ had arrived, a perfect match for Kenneth, and he would receive his transplant. After 10 hours of waiting as the doctors evaluated everything, Kenneth went into the operating room and received his transplant.

It was this day that our son was re-born. No more bone fractures, no more yellow skin or eyes, no more itching; our son could sleep in peace. Our son was healthy! A day that, with faith, we always knew would come. Thank god!” -Maribel Rodriguez

Evan Morgan’s symptoms first cropped up several years ago. A young, multi-sport athlete, he began having foot and ankle pain that later spread to his knees and hips. His pediatrician chalked it up to normal growing pains and Evan played on.

When the symptoms didn’t go away and Evan suffered several broken bones, his parents took him to an orthopedic specialist. The doctor found several stress fractures and a small tendon tear in his right knee, but otherwise all tests came back normal.

“This was a kid who played well and the other coaches would warn their players to keep an eye on him, but as time went on he lost a lot of his usual energy and stamina,” says Jeff Morgan, Evan’s father. “He also wasn’t eating as much and his color was off. Finally, even though his doctors had cleared him to play, one of his coaches came to us and said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with him but he’s hurt and shouldn’t be playing.’”

During a scheduled doctor’s visit, Evan’s orthopedic physician recommended that he return to his pediatrician for blood tests. The results of those tests turned the Morgan’s life upside down.

“At the pediatrician’s office, on August 20, 2012, the doctor told us to go home, pack a bag and get to the CHOP [Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia] ER right away,” says Debra, Evan’s mother. “The tests showed that his hemoglobin level was extremely low, which means there wasn’t enough oxygen in his blood.”

At CHOP, Evan was put on oxygen and was given blood transfusions to raise his hemoglobin level. He also underwent more tests.

“I remember them doing an ultrasound and spending a lot of time looking at his kidneys,” says Jeff. “They weren’t saying much.”

A shocking diagnosis was soon made – end-stage renal failure, the cause of which is still a mystery. Due to the advanced stage of his disease, a kidney transplant was deemed the only viable treatment option. He was put on nightly peritoneal dialysis treatments at home, and in November 2012 Even’s name was added to the national registry and his wait began for a new kidney.

“Looking back, the symptoms make sense and we now know that many are indicative of renal disease,” says Jeff. “But, at the time, nobody thought to look at his kidneys. The doctors at CHOP couldn’t believe he was able to keep playing sports through all of this.”

Although on dialysis, life was surprisingly normal for Evan while he waited for a transplant. He went to school, practiced with his soccer team and even played basketball that winter. During this time, his family explored the possibility of a living kidney donation through a series of educational appeal letters, but a match couldn’t be found.

During their wait, the Morgans wanted to continue spending time at their remote cabin in the Endless Mountains. But it had no phone, cell service and internet service so doctors advised against staying there, since transplant candidates have to be reachable at all times in case an organ became available.

“I ended up having a phone put in at the cabin and we gave our new number to the hospital team and our families. On the first night of service I was talking to my dad in Georgia and he said, “Don’t worry, you’ll get good news soon,’” says Jeff. “Later that evening the phone rang and it was the hospital telling us that it may have a kidney for Evan.”

On April 2, 2013, Evan received a new kidney and was discharged two weeks later. Other than an initial bout with rejection, he has done well. By June of that year he was back on the soccer field and today has more energy than ever.

(L to R) Jeff Morgan, Evan Morgan and Debra Morgan

Not long after Evan’s transplant, the Morgans made the decision to become involved with Gift of Life Howie’s House as a way of “giving back.” A group from Jeff’s office participated in the Home Cook Heroes program. The family also decided to launch a campaign to raise $25,000 for the house’s Adopt-a-Family program, which helps support families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to stay at the house. Money is primarily being raised through colleagues, friends and family.

“To assist with the Morgan’s campaign, the Gift of Life Howie’s House is providing them with a number of tools to promote it, including a webpage and donation page,” says Sara Cohen, development manager for the Gift of Life Howie’s House. “This is something new for us and something we can offer to other families, groups or organizations who want to raise funds for the house.”

Complementing the Morgan family’s campaign is a separate effort by Evan to raise money through fundraisers at his school. One of his goals is to raise money to purchase a basketball hoop for the enjoyment of those staying at the House.

“The Gift of Life Howie’s House is an amazing place,” says Debra. “It gives families a warm, comfortable place to stay so they don’t have to live in the hospital. The house is also a great place to meet other families who are in the same situation.”

“When you have a successful transplant you realize how important it is to give back in some way,” adds Jeff. “Our goal is to do as much as we can to support the House and the people who stay there.”

Click here to be directed to the Morgan Family Campaign Page.

For information on how to start your own fundraising campaign, please contact Sara Cohen, Development Manager at scohen@giftoflifefamilyhouse.org or call 267-546-9812.

Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund

The Howie’s House received special visitors on Saturday, June 1^st; Bill and Christine Hankee stopped by to donate $1,000 in gas gift cards on behalf of the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund. The donation is from the Memorial’s new initiative Courses that Care, Miles that Matter. Courses that Care, Miles that Matter raises funds through golfing events to provide families traveling for ongoing medical care with gasoline gift cards.

The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund – from which Courses that Care, Miles that Matter grows — was created in memory of Krysta Hankee, a Lehigh Valley local and daughter of Bill and Christine Hankee. Krysta was a New York University graduate who began working for Triangle Equities of Whitestone, NY after her 2007 graduation. Sadly, Krysta passed away when she was 22 years old. She collapsed in a gym one morning and died five short days later. But, Krysta’s memory continues through her donation. Her organs went on to save five strangers’ lives and her tissue helped others in need of skin and sight. In keeping with Krysta’s compassion and charity, the Memorial Fund helps high school seniors further their education through grant opportunities, promotes the positive impacts of organ and tissue donations and now through a new initiative, distributes gas cards to families traveling for medical treatments.

“Knowing Krysta, we knew at this point in her life, she would be back out in the community volunteering and making a difference. We felt it would only be fitting to honor her memory by addressing a need within the community. A group of volunteers created the Krysta Cares Flight Club to address transportation costs related to ongoing medical care. The flight club has established several ways for the community to get involved to make a difference and help these families in need. We have partnered with Giant Foods and are very pleased by their generosity in helping us provide gas cards to these families in need. In 15 months we have donated over 150,000 miles of driving.” – Bill Hankee

The generous donation of gas cards helps the Howie’s House provide an additional and much-needed service to our guest families. Many guest families travel between their homes and the Howie’s House, so the donated gas cards will help ease some financial burdens they experience stemming from constant travel during their transplant journeys. The Hankee family also presented the Howie’s House with a check for $500. Since the Howie’s House opened its doors to the community the Hankee family has donated over $4,000 to the Adopt-a-Family program fund – program which supports families who cannot pay the nightly fee to stay at the Howie’s House.

The Howie’s House is so grateful for the Hankee family and the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund’s generosity; through them, we can provide our guests with amenities that we currently do not offer. We truly appreciate their continued support and advocacy over the past several years.

“When I am here, I always think about the movie, The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy says, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home,” says Leslie, a guest of Howie’s House “but I think Dorothy is wrong, there is a place like home, and it’s called Gift of Life Howie’s House.”

Leslie Moore, a Gift of Life Howie’s House guest and wife of a recent kidney transplant, Curtis, is from Binghamton, NY. Leslie and Curtis’ transplant journey began in 1990 when Curtis was diagnosed with kidney disease. As Curtis’ disease progressed he was forced to go on dialysis and in 2009 Curtis was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease; transplantation then became a necessity. Curtis and Leslie researched and learned everything they could about kidney transplantation. Patients and friends at Curtis’ dialysis center recommended Einstein Medical Center to the couple, and after much consideration, Curtis and Leslie decided to move forward with transplantation. Curtis was placed on the waiting list in Philadelphia. However, the couple found the thought of traveling such a far distance away from Binghamton, NY to Philadelphia frightening. When the couple coincidentally met a family at a benefit in their hometown their fears began to alleviate. Leslie and Curtis met Clarence and Jeanne Clink; the Clink family stayed at the Howie’s House when Jeanne received a double-lung and heart transplant. The Clinks shared their journey with Leslie and Curtis, which included the Howie’s House’s warmth and care during their time of need.

As Curtis and Leslie prepared for their transplant journey they did not want to consider living donation, but both of their children, Joy 39 and Curtis Jr. 44, stepped forward insisting on becoming living donors. Curtis shared his feelings about his children’s willingness to donate their father: “I never wanted to get a transplant and I especially never wanted my children to be the donor.” They went through with the testing to see who was a match for their father. Additionally Church members tested also, but no one from Leslie and Curtis’ congregation was a match. Curtis Jr.’s test results came back as a match and he agreed to donate; however, he could not go through with surgery due to a career change. Joy was a match for her father, and she wanted to donate to him – in fact, she insisted on going through with the idea. “Let’s get her done” Joy said. The transplant surgery took place on March 22, 2013. It was successful for both Curtis and his daughter Joy.

While he was in the hospital Curtis found comfort, ease, and assurance through the Howie’s House. Curtis knew he could rest easy knowing his wife and their visitors were safe and cared for by the Howie’s House – it took a tremendous weight off of Curtis’ shoulders helping his recovery from the surgery better. Leslie, like Curtis, found peace at the Howie’s House: “emotionally it put my mind to rest, it means the difference between being with my family and not. I was able to care for Joy in the room. I have no car and the shuttle service is at the Howie’s House is a true blessing.”

Although no one at their hometown church, Crossroads of Life, could be a living donor for Curtis, the church decided to help Curtis and Leslie in another way. The church generously offered to pay for their stay at the Howie’s House. Joy’s expenses were also supported in part by a grant for living donors from the NLDAC.

After the surgery Joy went home a few days later, but Leslie and Curtis stayed at the Howie’s House for several weeks post-surgery. Leslie and Curtis felt spoiled at the Howie’s House; they took pleasure in the home-cooked meals, the beautiful gardens, and the caring volunteers. Leslie and Curtis enjoyed the Howie’s House’s complimentary amenities, such as free internet, which helped the couple keep in touch with their children, grandchild, extended family members, and friends. Through Skype Leslie and Curtis felt less isolated and alone so far away from their hometown. They also formed lasting friendships with other transplant families staying at the Howie’s House; through these friendships, Leslie and Curtis realized they were not alone on this journey – many others are going through the same things Leslie and Curtis experienced.

Even though Curtis and Leslie Moore have returned home to New York they keep the Howie’s House and its mission in their minds. The couple plans to visit the Howie’s House, and want to help support the House and its mission in every way they can. Curtis is now an advocate for living donation and has no regrets about letting his daughter give him a second chance at life.