Gift of Life Howie’s House
Before arriving at the House, Jim Healy’s journey was filled with many challenges.
Jim’s negative reaction to medication following a knee replacement in 2019 led to him developing pulmonary fibrosis. His worsening condition brought him to Philadelphia to be evaluated for a lung transplant. During that process, the tests revealed he had colorectal cancer, requiring treatment and a period of remission. Jim received treatment for his cancer and was listed for a lung transplant in 2024, 5 years after his initial diagnosis.
In August of last year, Jim received the call he waited so long for. Unfortunately, his surgery came with severe complications, leaving him hospitalized for nearly 80 days, 65 of which he spent completely immobile.
In October, Jim and Solange left the hospital and came to stay at the House.
“It was wonderful… the House was the perfect transition from the hospital. There were so many people who had lung transplants that I could trade stories with and learn from,” he shares.
“The fact that my wife didn’t have to worry about planning meals and running to the supermarket every day was incredibly helpful for her spirits and her time, and therefore my recovery,” explains Jim. He continues, “She was so busy managing everything. It was so nice to come back from the hospital and be able to relax and then go down for dinner.”
Having access to the kitchen and meals prepared by volunteers made a huge difference during their stay.
Jim has traveled and lived all over the world – with home bases in Brazil, Mexico, the US – and says that post-transplant he is looking forward to slowing down and spending time with his wife, three children, and five grandchildren.
By Talia Giordano, LCSW
Family Services and Caregiver Lifeline Program Manager
Taking on the role of a caregiver does not erase your original role as a spouse, parent, child or friend. Maintaining balance is key to avoiding the loss of your own identity. Here are key strategies:
1. Set Boundaries:
Clearly define what you can and cannot do as a transplant caregiver. Communicate our limits and seek help with tasks that cause stress, such as managing complex medical needs or providing emotional support during recovery. Setting boundaries can help prevent resentment and burnout.
2. Create a Transplant Care Plan:
Use a journal to organize caregiving tasks and appointments related to the transplant. Record medication schedules, doctor visits, and transplant care needs, especially post-transplant. This will help you identify when assistance is needed, schedule personal time, and manage responsibilities more effectively.
3. Take Personal Time:
Prioritize activities that bring you joy to maintain your well-being. Regular self-care is crucial for sustaining the stamina and emotional resilience required for transplant caregiving.
4. Nurture Relationships:
Set aside time away from caregiving to strengthen your bond, such as a date night with your spouse, quality time with your child, or meaningful conversations with a parent. Engage in activities that reinforce your original connection and maintain a sense of closeness.
5. Ask for Help:
Don’t hesitate to seek support from family, friends, or professionals such as transplant social workers or counselors. Take advantage of respite care from loved ones or in-home nursing aides to ease the demands of transplant caregiving and ensure you receive the emotional support you need. By preserving the core of your relationship and establishing clear boundaries, transplant caregiving can become a fulfilling experience rather than an overwhelming one.
Challenges for Transplant Caregivers in Different Relationships
As a Spouse:
Caregiving for a transplant patient can blur roles and create stress. To maintain intimacy and partnership, schedule “couple time” and ensure caregiving doesn’t dominate your interactions. Seek professional support for emotional guidance when needed, particularly if medical tasks or recovery begin to strain the relationship.
As a Parent:
Balancing caregiving for a child undergoing a transplant can be overwhelming. Encourage children to participate in age-appropriate activities to maintain a sense of normalcy. Involve them in decisions about their care to empower and reassure them throughout the process.
As a Son/Daughter:
Caring for aging parents after a transplant can be emotionally taxing. Work together to meet their daily needs while preserving their independence. Utilize transplant resources for financial and emotional support, and collaborate with healthcare providers to manage post-transplant care effectively.
As a Friend:
Caregiving for a friend undergoing a transplant can be challenging without familial authority. Maintain boundaries and remember to nurture the friendship beyond caregiving duties. Offer both practical and
emotional support while respecting their autonomy.
To talk with a social worker about resources and support around maintaining healthy relationships as a transplant caregiver, please reach out to Talia Giordano, LCSW at caregiverlifeline@giftoflifehowieshouse.org
When Jim Hughes was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) in 2023, it came as a shock to him and his family. He was immediately placed on oxygen and told he would need a lung transplant to survive.
Jim and his wife, Louanne, traveled to Philadelphia after local transplant centers in the Boston area turned him down due to his complex medical condition. He was listed for a lung transplant in November of last year and has been staying at the House ever since.
The couple says the House instantly felt like home. “It’s like moving back to the neighborhood you grew up in – the people here are so warm and friendly. It’s really a huge benefit for the psyche and for your own rehabilitation,” Jim explains.
Due to Jim’s condition and a recent diabetes diagnosis, the kitchen at the House has been crucial for Louanne to prepare healthy meals tailored to his needs.
“I can create a diet for him in the kitchen that meets his needs, and that’s truly priceless,” says Louanne.
A talented cook, Louanne depends on the kitchen, cubbies, and her personal fridge space to prepare nearly every meal for both of them.
As Jim’s mobility is limited, the convenience of the kitchen has made all the difference on his journey.
“I can’t get around, and I can’t go to a restaurant. If we were in a hotel room without access to the facilities here, our lifestyle would be completely different,” Jim explains.
An updated kitchen will make it easier for Louanne and Jim to navigate the space, allowing them to spend less time cooking and more time focusing on what matters most: Jim’s care.
“[The kitchen] makes it so I don’t even have to worry about that component, it gives me more time to do other things that I have to do as a caregiver,” Louanne says.
Jim and Louanne also value the knowledge and services they’ve received at the House, which have been vital as they navigate this challenging journey. The couple, who recently celebrated their 41st anniversary, remain hopeful and eager to return home to spend time with their three children and five grandchildren
2024 was a year of milestones, memories, and historic impact for transplant families at Gift of Life Howie’s House.
Despite it being one of our busiest years on record, we never scaled back on our services, never raised our nightly fee, or turned away a family due to financial hardship – all thanks to the support of our community!
We are so grateful to continue our mission year after year, and look forward to the year ahead!
Thank you to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.-Omega Mu Omega Chapter for volunteering at the House on Martin Luther King Day for the sorority’s “We Are One” AKA Day of Service.
The group stocked the pantry with snacks and household essentials, organized and stored volunteer center donations, disposed of expired items, and prepared check-in packets and volunteer information bags!
Volunteers included living kidney donor Sue Levy Giles and her daughter Alexandria, who received a kidney transplant through a paired donor exchange involving her mom. Sue shared that the group “thoroughly enjoyed the meaningful projects we were given and hope that our efforts will contribute, even in a small way, to supporting the invaluable work your organization does for organ transplant recipients and their families.”
Those who have followed us for a long time might remember Matthew Brown, better known as “Mattman”, who came to stay at the House over 10 years ago when he received his life-saving heart transplant at just 5 years old.
Matt quickly became a House favorite, running around with his Batman cape and larger than life superhero personality. Since his transplant, Matt and his mom Kelly have continued to return to the House for follow-up appointments. Kelly has also stayed connected to mission, most recently through her talent as an artist by participating in our Strokes of Kindness Art Contest!
Matt, who is now 15, and Kelly recently came back to the House for a follow-up, and we had the chance to snap a picture with them and Kelly’s beautiful submission to last year’s art contest.
If you’re interested in joining Kelly and participating in this year’s Strokes of Kindness Art Contest, click here to learn more about how you can participate: https://ow.ly/6qRM50UPSGY
Major Milestone Alert!
Today, John and his group are celebrating their 100th visit of coming to cook in our kitchen! This is an amazing accomplishment and a true testament to the generosity and dedication of John and his group in serving transplant families at the House.
John Schmid and his volunteer group, “Friends of Bear”, are familiar faces here at the House. John, affectionately nicknamed, “Bear”, has been coming to cook in our kitchen since 2018. He started involving his family and friends, and has since become a prolific Home Cook Hero All-Star.
Thank you to the entire Friends of Bear community for your unwavering support of our mission!
We are excited to announce that the Transplant Information Center (TIC) Department at Gift of Life Donor Program has become the first department to earn the title of Home Cook Hero All-Star! This achievement recognizes TIC employees for volunteering their time to cook a meal for our families 12 times over the past year, earning their own All-Star plate in our kitchen!
A big thank you to the TIC Department for your dedication to serving transplant families at the House! Want to follow in their footsteps for 2025? Click here to schedule your Home Cook Hero dates now:
Our friends at the Transplant Alliance Foundation and Street Bingo recently held their 9th Annual Project Secret Santa event and generously donated $10,000 to support Gift of Life Howie’s House!
Father and daughter duo Ken Lovely and Danielle Bailey, along with support from Kenya Walker and many dedicated volunteers, run the Transplant Alliance Foundation in memory of their mother, wife, and friend, Mary Jo Lovely. Mary Jo co-founded the organization and was an avid advocate for organ donation, a DASH volunteer, and a recipient of two lung transplants. Mary Jo sadly passed away in 2021, and her family and community continue to run the Transplant Alliance Foundation to help raise funds for the House and other causes!
In addition to their recent successful Bingo fundraiser, our friends at the Transplant Alliance Foundation also held a wish-list drive to collect pantry staples for our guests at the House! Ken Lovely and Kenya Walker stopped by this week to donate their items, and we couldn’t be more grateful!
Thank you to Ken, Kenya, Danielle Bailey, and the entire State Street Bingo community for all you do for transplant patients and their families!
Gift of Life Howie’s House is proud to announce that it was the recipient of a $40,000 grant this year from Philadelphia Phillies Charities, Inc!
The Phillies have been an important partner of Gift of Life for many years, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support and dedication to transplant families, and to raising awareness about organ donation and transplantation. Staff members Abby Wells and Miranda Porter had the opportunity to attend a special event celebrating all the grantees and were thrilled to meet the Phillie Phanatic!
Thank you to Phillies Charities, Inc. for their support of our mission. Click here to read more about their generosity this year: https://ow.ly/7AAg50Ur0K8
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