Faces of Howie’s House Stories
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!
“It was the 5th 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 a
ll 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.
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.
“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.
This holiday season, Gift of Life Howie’s House is bringing transplant families out of the waiting room and into a warm room waiting. While families are enduring treatment, medical conditions and separation from loved ones, the Gift of Life Howie’s House is able to provide support and comfort with the help of volunteers and community members.
Today we share the story of Martha Harris, a recent kidney transplant recipient from North Carolina, who has been able to utilize the Gift of Life Howie’s House while receiving follow up treatment.
After her kidney transplant, Martha Harris knew that she would require extensive doctor’s appointments and follow up testing in order to ensure that her body was kept the healthiest it could be. Because her transplant center is located in Philadelphia, Harris was required to either commute from her home in North Carolina, or shuffle from various houses while in town. Because of the Gift of Life Howie’s House, Martha was able to have a place of her own to stay while she received follow up appointments and treatments. It was a place to call home when she was far away from home.
“I was so grateful to know I had somewhere to go and not have to do so much traveling. It was a long journey but it is nice to know I found someplace where I am comfortable.” said Harris.
While at the House, Harris is able to receive transportation to and from her transplant center, allowing her to not be stressed with driving or parking in the city. Instead of staying alone in a hotel room, she has been able to be welcomed home to home cooked dinners that c
an be enjoyed with other guests going through similar transplant experience.
“My family and my daughter are so far away and I can come here and sit and talk to someone and I miss my family but knowing when I come here this is my family,” said Harris.
While staying at the Gift of Life Howie’s House, Harris is able to enjoy a private room with its own bathroom, television and internet access. That way guests can have the option of enjoying their own privacy to rest, gather their thoughts or make calls to loved ones. If they want to enjoy the company of other guests, all they have to do is step outside to one of the many multiple lounges, activity rooms, or living room center to connect with other guests.
“I was amazed at the place it was so beautiful inside and out. Once I arrived inside the staff greeted me with open arms and I felt like I was at home. The best part about the experience is that you feel comfortable and welcomed,” said Harris. “It is an awesome place and I recommended anyone to join us here we are one big family. Without your support, I wouldn’t have a place to go.”
News & Events
Stay Connected
Sign up to receive email updates featuring transplant stories of hope and ways you can get involved with the Howie's House.
"*" indicates required fields
