FALL 2020

GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org UPDaTe THE FAMILY provesAND resilient CELEBRATES of supporting 9YEARS families. Our mission remains strong because of a community of people like you. Nine years of caring for transplant families. Nine years of home-cooked meals served by compassionate volunteers. Nine years of shuttle rides back and forth from the hospital. And nine years of smiles, tears, hugs, and support from people who care.

Nine years of a place to call home. For the health and safety of our community, several were made in accordance with the local, state and federal guidelines and Although the COVID-19 pandemic brought obstacles that new procedures were implemented. We installed protective shields, interrupted some of our usual operations, it didn’t stand in updated signage, moved our living room furniture to create more the way of our commitment to providing transplant families socially distant dining space – and much more. We also postponed with the affordable lodging, meals, and services they needed. our Home Cook Heroes in-house volunteer opportunities and paused our shuttle program. Half of our staff began working from home. The remaining staff who reported to the office as well as all in-house guests adhered to public health guidelines, wore face masks, participated in temperature checks and practiced social distancing.

WE ARE PROUD TO SAY that the Family House proved its resilience and continued to serve transplant families.

Lisa and her mom Joan stayed at the Family House together while Lisa recovered from a liver-kidney transplant. Although Joan had to return home in mid-March, Lisa remained at the Family House during what became the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.

“Gift of Life Family House has been truly that, a gift,” Lisa says. “It is a privilege to have experienced this place in an unfamiliar city at a time of stress and uncertainty, and to benefit from all the resources, Lisa Coin in the Family House kitchen during her stay amenities and services that are provided.” continued on Family House page 2 9 YEARS, continued from Family House page 1 Rebecca, another guest, received a life-saving liver transplant in March. Unfortunately, she was in the hospital for weeks with no family by her side because of visitor restrictions. When she was discharged after her surgery and began her recovery, HOME COOKRecycledman Cooks she and her fiancée stayed at the Family House.

“It was great to come to the Family House and meet others who understood what I was going through,” Rebecca says. “Although there were only a few of us there at the time, we were still able to Although in-house volunteer opportunities were postponed during talk and share our stories. I really wanted to be around others and the pandemic, many groups still supported the House through meal it was so helpful for me.” drop offsHeroes and financial and gift card donations to ensure our guests had a meal each evening. Rebecca found it comforting to have somewhere safe and welcoming to go during this time of stress and uncertainty. Recognizing Home Cook Heroes Volunteers Butterflies, Inc. January – May 2020 Abington-Jefferson ICU Hills Family Pedrick Family Addison’s Angels Hogan’s Heroes Peggy’s Peeps Al’s Pals Holy Ghost Preparatory School Penn Medicine Chester County ER Nurses Andrews Family Home2 Suites by Hilton Penn Presby Neuro Nurses April and Roman Homerun Bakers Penney Girls Foundation Assumption BVM Youth Group H-Town Helpers Philadelphia Chapter of the Association Athelstan-Lamberton Masonic Lodge HUP MICU of Legal Administrators No. 482 HUP Silverstein 11 Nurses Philadelphia Chapter USPCA Barrilli Family IDDPMI RAM Poplawski Family Beth O’Brien Group Independence Blue Cross, Blue Crew Pretty Bee’s Rebecca with her daughter Lexi after returning home from the Family House Blazers Ice Hockey Inspira Mullica Hill ICU Prism Student – PN 38 Further Her In Action Bodine High School Janice Schwartz-Donahue & Family Randon Family Boyle Family Janssen Inc. BRQC Group Recycledman Cooks WE ARE SO THANKFUL Boyscout Troop 176 Jefferson Bucks 2 North Rich & Christy O’Malley Brett Family Jefferson Center City Medical ICU Rivers of Love for a community that has stood with us for Bright Hope Baptist Church Women Jefferson City Medical ICU Rugters Gang nine years, especially during this difficult Bryson Family Jefferson Health – Northeast, Frankford Salvation Army DDP Butterflies INC Jefferson Hosp. Center City Medical ICU Satyra, Charles, and Friends! time, ensuring transplant families will have Care Crew Jefferson Marketing SEPA Ambassadors Carrie and Friends Jefferson Northeast Nurse Educators SightLife an affordable place to call home in the midst Charles’s Legacy Jefferson Perioperative Staff Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – JHN NICU Sparc Services of an incredibly challenging journey. Business Ops Kinkade/Collins SPN Girls CHOP – IS Service Desk Kirby Family St. Augustine Parish CHOP Feeding Team Knights of Columbus Council 11013 Surgical ICU Einstein Medical Center Marion Luckers Kidney Foundation THANKS TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU, Columbus Forum Lodge #1492 KPMG Team Evie DURING THIS TIME WE RECEIVED: Comhar La Famiglia Dei Fratelli Team Kellie Congregation M’Kor Shalom Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 Team SayLess Encouraging notes to pass along to the Connie McDermott Lankaneu Hospital – Data Quality Team Spiers ❤ Crozer Chester Medical Center and Outcomes Teample Heart & Vascular PFAC families staying with us Davis Family Laura and Friends Temple Transplant Team Diane Meyer & Friends Marion Luckers Kidney Foundation The Bellevue ❤ Meal and gift card donations to support Drexel University – Gamma Sigma Sigma McDermott Family The Eckerle Family our Home Cook Heroes program Eckenrode/Connelly MTF Biologics The Pedrick Family Ed’s Eyes MTF Quality Assurance Team The Saturday Club Kids Cloth face masks and special ear guards Einstein MICU Mu Beta Phi Military Fraternity Inc. Tierney ❤ Family Nanticoke Hospital TJUH – 7 West created to wear them more comfortably First Judicial District National Disease Research Interchange Toni Newman & Friends Hand sanitizer donations Four Ladies & Friends NCL – Valley Forge Chapter UNICO The Randon Family ❤ Franklin Towne Charter High School Never Ending Emotions University City Kiwanis Pantry items Further Her in Action New Vision Pioneers UVA Club of Philadelphia ❤ Gamma Iota Sigma, Sigma Chapter NewChurch LIVE Waldron/Mancini Families Gamma Sigma Sigma Gemini Organ Recovery Systems WSFS Bank Our community also came together to celebrate special memories Alumni Chapter PA Masons (Lodge #751) Youth Volunteer Corps and moments from visits to the Family House on social media. Girls Scout Troop #30140 Parzival Give Moore Life Pat and Peters Pals BOLD = Home Cook Hero All Star GLDP Hospital Services Patrice Green All-Stars are committed volunteer Thank you to all who made a financial gift, donated a gift card, meal GLDP Transplant Coordinators Pat’s Wings groups who provide a meal to or items for our pantry, attended one of our educational webinars, Good Shepherd Penn Partners Patsy’s ShamRocks Family House guests through the TOP: Encouraging cards for Family House guests created by Youth Volunteer Corps of Grant Thornton Pattinson Family Home Cook Heroes program at Hearts of Gold Patty’s Pose least 12 times in a calendar year. Greater Philadelphia; MIDDLE LEFT: Janet Dennis provided home-made masks to the hosted a Facebook fundraiser, shared a social media post, or simply Family House and also raised funds to support our mission; MIDDLE RIGHT: Ear guards do- reached out to ask how we were doing! nated by a family member of Home Cook Hero volunteer group, Ed’s Eyes were provided Home Cook Heroes team photos are available to view on the Family House’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/GiftofLifeFamilyHouse. to the Family House to help alleviate some of the discomfort caused by wearing Even though normal operations at the Family House looked different a protective face mask for long periods of time; BOTTOM: Hand sanitizer from La Salle While you’re there, don’t forget to like our Facebook page, tag yourself and your teammates, and share your photo to help spread awareness University students and Kiki Vodka as part of the university’s entrepreneurship initiative. from years past, we were still able to come together and support of the Family House mission! Tag us and use #HomeCookHeroes for your chance to win a special gift from the Family House! L-R: Pat O’Brien, Ethan Pecko, Sarah Donch, Joe Kauffman what matters most—giving transplant families a place to call home.

2 3 Live from the Family House Caregiver Lifeline Update and Q&A In May, we held a special webinar, “Live from the Family House: “I never know when my phone Sp tlight as an irregularly-shaped brown spot or changing mole, often on the back o or legs. All three types of skin cancers are curable if caught early, but may Update and Q&A,” to share what’s been happening at our home rings – could this be the call I’ve away from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. been waiting for?” said Sarah. “At cause extensive local destruction and even death if left untreated. the Family House, I found comfort Jan L. Weinstock, Vice President, Administration and General in being able to talk with others There are a number of steps patients can take to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer. The transplant recipient is their own first line of Counsel gave an update on Family House operations, volunteer and share stories with those who defense. The first principle of skin protection is to avoid sun exposure and programs, and some new construction projects—including our two really understand, and in just how Sarah Reesey and Zach new guest rooms and 4th floor community meeting space, as well commercial tanning booths. Additional steps to minimize sun exposure welcoming everyone was. They made myself and Zachary feel include seeking shade, staying indoors during the hours of peak sunlight as new safety features at the House. She also shared several ways extremely comfortable and those who were able to meet Zachary the community can support the Family House mission from home. (10am-4pm), wearing sun-protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts and know that he really did become super comfortable there. It really pants, broad-brimmed hats, sunglasses), and using a broad-spectrum “The Family House is open and serving families,” said Jan. “Based on just helped make our stay in Philadelphia that much easier.” sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin (which needs to be re- the environment we are in, there are a limited number of families at applied every 2 hours, sooner if you swim or sweat excessively). Monthly the House than we’ve served historically, but we are expecting that Howard M. Nathan, Founder and President, also gave an update on self-skin exams may help detect any new or changing growths or moles. number to increase. Of course, we are monitoring and adhering organ and tissue donation during the pandemic and took time to This may be done by using a mirror to examine all parts of your body, by Leora Aizman, BS and Thuzar M. Shin, MD including the palms, soles, and genitalia. In addition to self-skin exams, to all of the local and state guidelines, we have updated answer questions from the audience. University of Pennsylvania High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic experts recommend a full-body skin examination with a board-certified our guest referral process to include screening for COVID- “Donation went down about 20% during this time period, but for Organ Transplant Patients dermatologist at least once a year.7 For very high-risk patients, even more related issues, and are practicing social distancing.” things are looking better and we are starting to recover,” frequent follow up with a dermatologist may be crucial to detecting and Past Family House guest, Sarah Reesey, whose 4-year-old son Zach said Howard during the webinar. “To answer one of the questions Skin Cancer after Transplant: treating skin cancers early. is awaiting a life-saving heart transplant, also joined to share her that usually comes up, a patient who tests positive for COVID at There are a variety of methods to treat skin cancer, including creams, experience at the Family House and what it’s been like waiting for this point in time cannot be an organ or a tissue donor because of What to Know and How to Protect Yourself scraping, and freezing for early cancers. More advanced cancers her son’s transplant during this time. the fear of spreading that to a recipient.” may require surgical removal. Mohs micrographic surgery is a special Skin cancer occurs in one out of every five people,1 but solid organ surgical procedure that removes skin cancer in layers, to preserve normal Missed the event? No problem! Watch a recording of the event on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/GiftofLifeFamilyHouse. transplant recipients are at a higher risk than the general population. skin. For both treatment and prevention, skin care management should Skin cancer is the most common cancer after transplant,2 affecting up to involve a close partnership between the patient and their transplant 70% of patients.3 Fortunately, this condition is potentially preventable and doctor and dermatologist. easily treated when caught early. The best ways to protect yourself are to understand your risks and follow practices to prevent the development References and progression of skin cancer. 1. Stern RS. Prevalence of a history of skin cancer in 2007: results of an incidence-based Sponsor-A-Room model. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146(3):279-282. 2. Mittal A, Colegio OR. Skin Cancers in Organ Transplant Recipients. Am J Transplant. A room, a gift, a year…all to help hundreds. Transplant patients are at increased risk for skin cancer because 2017;17(10):2509-2530. immunosuppressive medications which are necessary for the health of 3. Bangash HK, Colegio OR. Management of non-melanoma skin cancer in immuno- Earlier this year, we launched our new Sponsor-A-Room Program transplanted organs to decrease the body’s defenses against skin cancer. compromised solid organ transplant recipients. Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2012;1 LIVING ROOM GUEST ROOM to provide another way for our community to support our mission. The longer recipients are taking immunosuppressive medications and 3(3):354-376. KITCHEN DINING ROOM the higher the dose, the more likely skin cancer is to develop.2,4 It is 4. O’Reilly Zwald F, Brown M. Skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients: advances With the sponsorship of a guest room or common room at the important to recognize that skin cancer also occurs at much younger in therapy and management: part I. Epidemiology of skin cancer in solid organ transplant Family House, you can help hundreds of families who come through ages in transplant recipients. Skin cancer usually begin to develop five to recipients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(2):253-261. our doors in search of a place full of hope and support along the seven years after a transplant, but may develop sooner in older patients2 5. Garrett GL, Blanc PD, Boscardin J, et al. Incidence of and Risk Factors for Skin Cancer in Organ Transplant Recipients in the United States. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(3):296-303. transplant journey. or in patients who have had a skin cancer prior to transplant.5 Not all 6. Perez HC, Benavides X, Perez JS, et al. Basic aspects of the pathogenesis and transplant recipients are affected equally. Heart transplant recipients, prevention of non-melanoma skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients: a review. Your generosity to sponsor a room will support families by keeping followed by kidney recipients, are the most likely to develop skin cancer.4 Int J Dermatol. 2017;56(4):370-378. our nightly fee low and covering costs for families who cannot 7. Crow LD, Jambusaria-Pahlajani A, Chung CL, et al. Initial skin cancer screening for solid afford it. The three main types of skin cancer are: squamous cell carcinoma, organ transplant recipients in the United States: Delphi method development of expert By sponsoring a guest or common room at the Family House through basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the consensus guidelines. Transpl Int. 2019;32(12):1268-1276. Rooms may be sponsored for up to 3 years at a time with a tax- our Sponsor-A-Room program, we will proudly display your most common type of skin cancer in the transplant population and is 65- deductible gift. support for our mission with a sign next to your room during the times more likely to occur in transplant recipients than in the general The Caregiver Lifeline Program is supported in part by TD Charitable 6 sponsorship period. population. Squamous cell carcinomas appear as small pink spots with Foundation and Bridge to Life. We are thankful for their partnership and 1 year 2 years 3 years a scaly surface and usually develop on areas exposed to sunlight, such generosity. as the head, neck, and hands. Basal cell carcinomas frequently occur in Guest Room $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 Special thank you to our first room sponsors, Common Room $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 similar locations, but look like shiny pink bumps or patches. Melanoma is Scott and Vickie Sayles! the least common, but deadliest, form of skin cancer and usually appears

4 5 SUPPORTER to our generous SPOTLIGHT: Thank You community Organ Recovery Systems (ORS) Together we are giving transplant families hope and a special place to call home. Contributions of $250 or more received between JANUARY – MAY 2020 Since we opened our doors, Organ Recovery Systems (ORS) has been a proud supporter of the Family House and has helped us care Team members from Organ Recovery Systems volunteering in the Family House kitchen Founders’ Circle Ruth and Nick Grigoriades Thomas and Lynn Hart The Legacy Garden Paver Program for transplant families in many ways! [GIFTS OF $10,000+] Alicia Hoover and David Murphy Dwendy Johnson and Family Thank you to those who dedicated an engraved paver More recently, they found another way to help by sending a generous New members who have made Rebecca Horn Jared Kalish Susan Bonner in honor of Daniel Bonner “Supporting the transplant community is something I personally take gifts of $10,000 or more Independence Blue Cross Terri Kane Philomena Cuthbert in honor of Sam Cuthbert donation of hand sanitizer! Cornerstone Advisors Asset Knights of Columbus – Father McCafferty Connie Kern to heart, and Gift of Life Family House goes above and beyond by Alicia Hoover in memory of Edward W Hoover Management, LLC Council #11013 Kevin P. Spiers Memorial Fund The Patients and Caregivers of HUP Lung Transplant Support Group in memory of Steve Gradijan offering a comfortable and intimate residence for transplant patients “Partnering with Gift of Life Family House has been so rewarding Grundy Senators Ice Hockey Club La Famiglia Dei Fratelli Association Jennifer Riddick in memory of Brian Fleagle and their families,” says Matthew Copithorne, Vice President, Sales to us, and years later our team still counts down the days until we Current members who have made John and Sharon Manz Scott Kingsley gifts of $10,000 or more Marion Prochazka Charitable Pepper and Mike Krach Due to space constraints, honor/memorial gifts and supporter gifts are no longer listed in the newsletter. and Marketing at ORS. can visit with and cook for recipients and their families,” says Kayla Jean and Sam Jones Remainder Trust Nancy Larkins WSFS Foundation Merck Foundation Mary Kiernan and Bill Lee We apologize for any errors or omissions and ask that you contact us at 267-546-9812 to report Andalina, Marketing Manager. any corrections. In 2011, ORS made a generous financial commitment to our mission John and Eleanor Michele Marguerite Marcinek 2020 Family Circle Mission Kristie Cares Marion Luckers Kidney Foundation by underwriting our kitchen – a capital campaign gift that helped us ORS was founded on a passion to help improve patient outcomes [GIFTS of $250+] Darryl Price Aimee Masino welcome transplant families home. Since then, many of their staff in transplantation and honor the gift of life. Their support of the to support the annual fund Andrea and Sean Reynolds Francesca McBride members have volunteered in our Home Cook Heroes Program to Family House helps provide transplant patients and their family HONOR IN PLATINUM [$5,000+] Robin and Fred Robbins Christine and Thomas McGarry Heart Members Scott and Vickie Sayles Donald and Ethel Sheperd Caitlin McMahon Recognizing monthly contributors who donate $21 or more per month prepare home-cooked meals for our guests. ORS also generously members with a place to call home while far from their own. We Jay and Pat Souder Emily Mettin HOPE IN GOLD [$2,500+] NEW Members St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church Diane Meyer supports our annual Kidney Open Golf Outing, which raises funds are so thankful for their partnership and look forward to serving Yale and Sherme Doftman Viola and Theodore Brooks Lila Crews Anita Nealon St. John’s Episcopal Church, Compass Joann and Joseph Mozelewski Gerry Lenfest Legacy Fund Jim and Karen Carns Marilyn Esnes Darlene Sweitzer for our Adopt-A-Family Program. transplant families with them in the future! Temple University Health System MTF Biologics Howard and Liz Nathan Winnie Cooper Frederick and Judith Neagul Theresa Sykes Nancy Tindall Judy Mueller CARE IN SILVER [$1,000+] Today's Dance Company Parent’s Group Linda Muller Larry and Diane Beard Barbara W. and Barry W. VanRensler, Esq. Patricia Mulligan Richard and Betty Beltz Anthony and Barbara Viscardi Catherine Nasta Support for Transplant Patients George Callas Scott Noye and Family COMFORT IN COPPER [$250+] Lauren’s Foundation David O’Brian to our volunteers in and their Families Anonymous thank you Katie and Tess Geib Maryellen and Walt Paget Charles Auletta Jean and Sam Jones Lauren Pantalone the community for coordinating fundraisers ake this your Baker Hostetler, LLP. M Krysta Hankee Memorial Cindi and Vincent Pasceri Richard Bardzik and donating wish list items to support Scholarship Fund Ruth Peachey Julie Baumgardner Luanne and William Kwelty Timothy Petersen the mission of Gift of Life Family House. BEST Webinars Eugene and Patricia Blum Sam’s Spirit Foundation Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center William and Angelina Briggs John and Brenda Scanelli Joette and Anthony Pompeo Fundraising Events Our social work team has been hard at work ensuring transplant Paul Brown Anita Sgrignoli Barbara Prestianne Diana Brown Doug Wright Memorial Golf Outing patients and their families have access to supportive resources The Prince of Piedmont Society Mary Jane Raymond Melvin and Lynne Cherry Reading Royals Fundraiser in memory of Brad Zunski B RTHDAY during the COVID-19 health crisis. Zwingli United Church of Christ Sean Rhoads and Keri Fisher Neil Citrone Highmark Walk coordinated by Jim and Karen Carns Lonny Rossman GRACE IN BRONZE [$500+] William and Marilyn Cody Help provide a place for David Samsel Kelly and Andy Albright Chris and Sharon Crooker Wish List Drives Together with support of our community partners, they hosted Michael Santucci transplant families to call Martha and Bill Anderson Catherine Dalton YET several complimentary webinars on topics including: Janice Schwartz-Donahue Catie Becker Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 Judith Azarow Stephen and Priscilla Demosky home by pledging your birthday to support Richard and Anita Shaffer Ben Porat Yosef Yeshiuah Day School James Musumeci Bank of America Foundation Kelly Desiderio • Exploring Survivor’s Guilt Temple Inn of Court Cape Ivy Dustin Myers the Family House. Catie and Lexi Becker James Donohue Christine Tierney Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Kathy Neary Margaret Belfield Allen and Carol Drucker • Transplant Fundraising Steve Townsend Respiratory Department New Gethsemane Baptist Church Debjani and Satya Bhoumik Jim Dunleavy Linda Villani Citizens Bank Brittney Pinson Through our “Best Birthday Yet” program, you can celebrate your • Communicating with Your Donor Family Brunetti Pizza, Inc. Richard Dwyer John and T. Robin Visconi Steven Dadaian Roxborough Memorial Hospital birthday by hosting an online fundraiser for the Family House. Marian Buccafurni Exelon Corporation Robert G. Walsh, Sr. Ginneh Earle David Simon • Skin Cancer After Transplant Jim and Karen Carns Michael Faruolo Instead of a gift, ask your friends and family to support your fundraiser! Jan L. Weinstock, Esq. Gift of Life Donor Program – Suburban Community Hospital Comcast Corporation John and Cornelia Fruncillo and many more. Kevin and Mary Wiedel Transplant Coordinators Temple University Hospital Corazon a Corazon NY Staci Gawne Krystine and Marion Wiktorowicz Paul Hess Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Karen Dunigan Janet Gehrig It’s really easy! Pledge your birthday today and we’ll send you Denise Wurst Jefferson Health SICU We’d like to extend a special thank you to our friends at CareDX, Edie Egan Valerie Gioia Knights of Columbus – Travis Whitson a reminder as your special day gets closer to set up your fundraising Victor Figueroa Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Help Hope Live, Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, Pond Lehockey, ITALIC = upgraded member Father McCafferty Council #11013 Trinity Lutheran Church page. We’ll also send you some tips to help you make your fundraiser BOLD = renewed member Temple Health TRIO, and UNOS for supporting the creation of Debra and Carl Fritz Dr. and Mrs. Mehdi and a success! Ed and Marta Galarza Christine Haririan these important resources and helping to spread the word!

Visit GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org to Find these webinars on our Facebook page at To make a contribution to Gift of Life Family House, pledge now. We look forward to celebrating Facebook.com/GiftofLifeFamilyHouse or on please visit GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org or use the enclosed envelope. with you. GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org under ‘Caregiver Support.’ The official registration and financial information of Transplant House d/b/a Gift of Life Family House may be obtained from PA Dept. of State by calling toll free 1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

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