WINTER 2019

GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org UPDaTe GIVE THEome GIFT OF HTHIS HOLIDAY SEASON to transplant families far from their own

Asher has a laugh that can light up any room. “He’s such a little While Asher waited for his second chance at life, he went into goofball and loves to make you laugh,” his mom, Kendra, says. end stage heart failure. His kidneys and liver also began to shut down. His doctors placed him on a Berlin heart to keep him alive However, Asher wasn’t always the happy, expressive baby he is today. until he could receive a heart transplant. He’s had to make it through some tough medical challenges. Asher’s strong spirit surprised everyone. “He began doing normal At just six weeks old, Asher was placed on the transplant list to wait baby things,” Kendra says. “He jumped from 10 to 15 pounds and for a new heart. Before he was born, he was diagnosed with a heart became so much more expressive. He would smile and laugh while disease after a test revealed something wasn’t quite right. he watched people in the hospital.”

The day finally came when Asher and Kendra received news that he would receive his new heart. Asher received his precious gift of life because of a compassionate family’s decision—one that saved his life. Although Asher was able to leave the hospital, he and Kendra weren’t able to return home to their family right away. His doctors needed him to stay close by so they could monitor his progress. Thankfully, they were able to stay at Gift of Life Family House... a place that became Asher’s first home.

continued on Family House page 2 GIFT OF HOME, continued from Family House page 1 GETTING THROUGH IT TOGETHER

Dennis has lived with lung disease for almost 40 years. As his lung “I don’t think you can get anything like this anywhere else,” different backgrounds, but we all have one common goal, which is function declined, he required inhalers and oxygen to breathe. Dennis says. to get better,” he says. His doctor told him he needed a lung transplant to save his life. Dennis and his family continue to utilize the Family House as they Anthony and Wanda’s stay also fell during the holidays—they spent Dennis and his family traveled from their home in upstate New York return to Philadelphia for follow-up care. “I’ve experienced some Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Family House. to Philadelphia for medical care. He was placed on the transplant complications from my transplant,” Dennis explains. “The Family waiting list and was told he would need to return to Philadelphia House has been such a blessing to us.” “It felt like we were at home for the holidays waking up in our own every three months so doctors could monitor his health. Dennis bed,” Anthony says. “Our family and friends were able to come visit and his family were so grateful to receive the call that a set of lungs us, too.” donated by a selfless donor was a match for him. He and his wife, “My heart was so overwhelmed to see Christmas presents outside Kathy, raced to Philadelphia for the surgery. of our door,” Wanda says. “My kids were so happy. The Family While Dennis was in the hospital, Kathy was able to stay close by at House made our time away from home very special with an the Family House. He was later able to join her while he recovered, extended family.” as was their young son, Austin.

“The Family House is our safe haven,” Kathy says. “It’s been such a blessing to have a place to sleep at night and knowing that you GIVE THE FINDING HOME AT THE can have your family with you to get through a difficult time.” FROM FAMILY OF FAMILY HOUSE At the Family House, Dennis, Kathy, and Austin were able to meet COMFORT GIFT other families on the transplant journey and talk about what they Many of our transplant Kendra and Asher live about two hours away from Philadelphia, After a routine physical revealed spots on Anthony’s lungs, he was were going through. “The first day we got here, we met someone families are far from home andome far from where they need to be to monitor Asher’s progress. Traveling back who had a lung transplant,” Austin says. “He told us about his story diagnosed with lung disease in 2005. He was referred to a doctor their families. H and forth several times a week would be difficult. Thankfully, and it made me feel really good about my dad’s transplant.” in Philadelphia, two and a half hours away from his home in the they can find the comforts of home here at the Family House. Poconos. This holiday season, you can give them the gift of home. At Gift Dennis, Kathy, and Austin were also able to spend time together as of Life Family House, transplant families are surrounded by “I love that the Family House is so clean and that it’s safe for Because Anthony’s condition wasn’t improving, his doctor told him a family. “Dennis and Austin like to play pool downstairs and Austin people who care—whether it be their own family members, immunosuppressed patients like Asher,” Kendra says. “Dinner is he would need a double lung transplant. Before he could officially and I like to go shopping,” Kathy says. Family House staff, or the other transplant families staying here— always made every night, which is wonderful. The last thing I want be placed on the waiting list, he had to go through rounds of testing they never have to feel like they’re on their own. to do is cook when I get back from the hospital. It’s also so family- which required several trips to and from Philadelphia. “I don’t think I could go through this process without them,” oriented. It was so easy for me to be a mom spending time with Dennis says. “Without Kathy, I wouldn’t be here. She’s my stone.” At the Family House, families can be together...and when families are my children.” At the hospital, Anthony and his wife, Wanda, were referred to a together, they can hope together, fight together, and recover together. few places to stay, but they chose to come to the Family House. “It At the Family House, not only do Kathy, Dennis and Austin have While Kendra took care of Asher, her father and other two children just stuck out,” says Wanda. “It felt like the place to come.” each other, but they have a warm meal each evening, transportation You can help give the gift of home came down to spend time with them on the weekends. to and from the hospital for Dennis’ follow-up appointments, and Anthony and Wanda stayed at the Family House intermittently this holiday season and year-round “One day we sat down in the Activity Center and watched movies a supportive community by their sides. during Anthony’s pre-transplant treatment and again for three to families in need by making a tax-deductible all day,” she says. “We also eat dinner together in the garden and months while he recovered from his transplant surgery. They were contribution to our Adopt-A-Family program. For $40, you can help go on walks. We even went to a festival at one of the parks nearby. joined by their two youngest children, Tanasia, 11, and Charles, 13. provide a family with lodging, meals, transportation, counseling, My children really need their family to be together, too. I love Their son, Kavon, 18, was also able to join them on the weekends. and support for one night, $80 for a weekend, or $120 for three seeing them healthy and thinking to myself that one day, that will nights. You can also help ensure that no family is ever turned be Asher.” “Having my family here made it so much easier mentally and away from the Family House due to an inability to pay. Gifts of emotionally,” says Wanda. “I didn’t have to worry about where my every amount are appreciated and will make a difference in the At the Family House, Kendra is also able to take care of herself. young children were.” lives of the transplant families we serve. She takes bubble baths in her private bathroom, uses the gym, reads in the library, sits outside, and participates in the evening activities While Anthony received the care he needed in the hospital, Wanda If you are able to give a special gift of $250 with her daughter. and their children were able to talk to other transplant families and or more, you will become a member of our participate in our support groups. “It was very easy to chat with Family Circle. Kendra was grateful to be surrounded by a community of other other caregivers,” Wanda says. “We all have a major life change in transplant families who get it. common.” They were also able to take the shuttle back and forth To make a contribution to support families like Asher, Dennis, from the hospital to visit Anthony. Anthony’s, please use the enclosed envelope or visit us online at “Learning from [the other transplant families] gives me hope,” she says. “I’m less stressed because there are so many people to talk to. When Anthony joined his family at the Family House, he agreed: GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org. I didn’t realize how nice that’d be.” “I felt so comfortable here. All of the people here, we come from Gifts postmarked by December 31st are tax-deductible in 2019.

2 3 Raise $80 by Giving Tuesday to support two room nights at the Family House and win Once you’ve successfully completed your Facebook fundraiser, a Family House tee! Will you help kick off the let us know by emailing [email protected] so we can season of giving by supporting the Family House and the transplant send you your t-shirt! families we serve through our ‘80in8’ fundraiser? 80in8 fundraiser is an easy way to help support transplant families Butterflies, I.N.C. Temple University Health System Rowan Volunteers All you have to do is set up a Facebook fundraiser on or after who cannot afford the nightly fee at the Family House. November 26th and raise at least $80 in 8 days. We ask families to pay $40 a night to stay at the Family House. Your fundraiser will help give the gift of home for two nights. COOK HEROES Do it by midnight on Giving Tuesday 12/3 to win a Family House omeThe Family House is proud to recognize volunteer groups who supported t-shirt that you can proudly wear to support our mission! H the Home Cook Heroes program from May-August 2019

STARTS: ENDS: 4West, Jefferson Health Northeast Elizabethtown College Alumni Lodge No. 2 – Pennsylvania Free Masons RyanStrong The Nagorsky Family Tuesday, Giving Tuesday, AG Friends Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Marquis ww Dot Foundation Sandy Run Middle School The Tazmanian Angels Allen Family Farmsworth Foodies Morgan Stanley Seer Interactive Third Sunday Crew Alpha Omega Epsolon- Beta Mu Feeding Team at CHOP MTF Biologics Silverstein 10 Tierney NOV. DEC. April and Roman Fiorelli Family Nagorsky Family Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia Timberbirch Women’s Club (anytime) 26 (midnight)3 AtlantiCare – Compliance Team Five Below Candy Create Merch Team Nazareth Hospital St. Augustine Parish TJUH – 7 West AtlantiCare Customer Experience Four Ladies and Friends NCL – Valley Forge Chapter St. Johns No 115 Transplant Pregnancy Registry International AtlantiCare Emergency Department – Friends of John Clyde Neumann University Nursing Alumni Stephanie and Friends Trion Group Patient Access Team Gallagher Benefit Services Association TD Bank Consumer Bank Analysis Tuddenham Family AtlantiCare ICU Gamma Sigma Sigma – Drexel University New Vision Pioneers Team Evie UNICO Thank you for supporting the Beth O’Brien’s Giving Group Gift of Life TIC-HD Crew PA Masons (#52) Team Luca University City Kiwanis 15TH ANNUAL Bidwell Family GLDP Transplant Coordinators PA Masons (Lodge #751) Team Ruelta UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Blank Rome LLP Good Shepherd Penn Partners PA Masons Lodge 751 Team SayLess UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Hospital Blue Mountain Ambassadors Gwynedd Mercy University Pat and Peter’s Pals Team Shea UPMC Williamsport Hospital Bonnette Family Hearts of Gold Pat’s Wings Team Spiers Villanova SRNA KIDNEY OPEN Brigid and Friends Home2Suites by Hilton Penn Medicine Chester County ER Nurses Team Vinciguerra Wawa On August 26, 2019, Gift of Life President and CEO Howard M. Busillo Family Iannelli Family Penn Medicine Chester County Medicine Temple CICU White and Williams Butterflies I.N.C. Jefferson Avenue Insurance Penn Medicine Chester County Nurses Temple Transplant Team Wilmington Emergency Department Nathan and Dan Sinnott co-hosted our 15th annual Kidney Open CAC Women Ministry Jefferson Health NJ Surgical Services Penn Presbyterian Trauma Intensive Care Temple University Health Systems Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District Golf Outing at the DuPont Country in Wilmington, DE. Care Crew (AmeriHealth Caritas) Jefferson HF/Cardiac Transplant Peruto Family and Friends Community Health Workers 2019 Carson Valley Children’s Aid Jefferson Hospital Center City Med ICU Philadelphian Temple University Hospital BOLD = Home Cook Hero All Star More than $103,000 was raised for Gift of Life Family House’s Charu’s Champions Jefferson Northeast Frankford Campus ED Prism Career Institute – PN 36 Students The Barrilli Family All-Stars are committed volunteer Sponsors CHOP 5 South JHN NICU ICU Pross Team The Bellevue Hotel groups who provide a meal to Adopt-A-Family Program, which subsidizes the cost of staying CHOP Pulmonary Nurses Joshua’s Legacy Randon Family The Bombshells Family House guests through the at the Family House to keep the room fee low. The program also Golf Cart Sponsor Lunch Sponsors Putting Contest Christiana Care – Surgical Critical Care Kemmerer Family and Friends Redd Foxes Hockey Club The Cook Family Home Cook Heroes program at Sponsor Main Line Health Meridian Bank Clark Hill La Famiglia Dei Fratelli Rowan Volunteers The Episcopal Academy least 12 times in a calendar year. covers costs for families who cannot afford the nightly fee, ensuring LifeNet Health Comhar Laura and Friends Rutgers Gang The Marcinek Family no family is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. Dinner Sponsor Birdie Sponsors Bridge to Life, LLC Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Closest to the Pin Congregation M’Kor Shalom Christiana Care Health Services Contest Sponsor Dave’s Dinner Home Cook Heroes team photos are available to view on the Family House’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/GiftofLifeFamilyHouse. While you’re Gift of Life Family House is grateful to all of the generous sponsors, Double Eagle The Palopoli Family Trust Wohlsen Construction DCCC Surgical Tech there, don’t forget to like our Facebook page, tag yourself and your teammates, and share your photo – in doing so, you’re helping spread awareness Sponsors SightLife Donna Sykes volunteers, and the 138 golfers who supported our event! AmeriHealth Caritas Longest Drive about the Family House mission! Tag us and use #HomeCookHeroes for your chance to win a special gift from the Family House! Sinnott Executive Consulting CSL Behring Contest Sponsor Wye Realty Advisors Golfers from JeffSTAT at the Kidney Open Golf Outing The Glenmede Trust Company Registration MTF Biologics Sponsor Straightest Drive Quick Courier Service Gift of Life Donor Program Contest Sponsor Did you know that you can give the gift of home to VRL Eurofins in honor of Gift of Life MJ Settelen Construction Ambassadors transplant families on your birthday? Apparel Sponsors Hole Sponsors Community Tissue Services Course Refreshment Affinity Wealth Management LLC Through our “Best Birthday Yet” program, you can celebrate your NORA – Nationwide Organ Station Sponsors ake this your The Arthur Jackson Company M Recovery Transport Alliance LifeNet Health Dr. Linda Barrase birthday by hosting an online fundraiser for the Family House. Nationwide Health Care Cenero Instead of a gift, ask your friends and family to support your Eagle Sponsors Services, LLC CTS Consulting Group BEST CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Quick Specialized Healthcare fundraiser! It’s really easy! Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Logistics Gallagher Benefit Services Delaware John D. Kelly IV, MD Pledge your birthday today and we’ll send you a reminder as your Independence Blue Cross Coffee Station Sponsor Penn Sports Shoulder Lions Eye Bank of the DE Valley B RTHDAY special day gets closer to set up your fundraising page. We’ll also Bill Gillespie Electric, Inc. Kimmel, Carter, Roman, Peltz & O’Neill Mohan USA Miller Pipeline Pledge your birthday send you some tips to help you make your fundraiser a success! Organ Recovery Systems, Inc. Practice Range Premier Orthopedics Sponsors Beverage Cart Tozour Energy Systems Einstein Healthcare Network to support Sponsor Venture Jets YET Visit GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org to pledge now! Kate and Peter Kelsen Lincoln Financial Group Waters Medical Systems the Family House We look forward to celebrating with you!

4 5 Gem Caregiver Lifeline from a tragic accident. Gift of Life threw us a lifeline and coming to To our generous contributors: the Family House is a special time where I get to see the miraculous for your partnership in helping us care Spotlight results of organ transplantation— for transplant patients and their families something my son chose to give THANK YOU at Gift of Life Family House. others.” Contributions of $250 or more received between MAY 2019 – AUGUST 2019 Therapy Dogs Bring Comfort “I’ve had family members that have to Transplant Families gone through organ transplants,” Founders’ Circle Debjani and Satya Bhoumik George Dougherty Jr Stephs Subs LLC The Legacy Garden Welcome Home Club Denise adds. “When Therapy Dogs International mentioned Gift of Life [GIFTS of $10,000+] Rhonda and Eric Brouse Allen and Carol Drucker Steve Townsend Paver Program Heart Members Transplant patients and families staying at the Family House are under Family House as a place to visit, I became happy to help.” Current members who Marian Buccafurni Denise and Ken Fegley Amita Verma Thank you to those who dedicated Recognizing monthly contributors tremendous stress and away from their own support networks at home, have made renewed gifts Jonathan Cottrell Elizabeth and Thomas Finocchio Belarmino and Anna Viegas an engraved paver who donate $21 or more per month of $10,000 or more Elizabethtown College John and Cornelia Fruncillo John and T. Robin Visconi including their own pets. All of them agree that their dogs make a difference in the lives of Family Elise Stasi on behalf of Gary Cataldo NEW Members The Beneficial Foundation Nick and Ruth Grigoriades Vicki Goettel Ann Wattman in memory of Grandpa Cat Brigitte Dale House guests. Florence Dolceamore Sam and Jean Jones Michael Jozsa Ellen and Bernie Gottlieb Kevin and Mary Wiedel Kayla Hoffman in memory of As part of our Caregiver Lifeline Program, we invite volunteers and their Sylvia and Bob Herman The Estate of Marie Kucowski Terri Kane Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Charles Wiedmann Ed “EHOOT” Hudicek therapy dogs to the Family House to help our guests find comfort along “For a few hours, they can forget their difficulties and enjoy the ‘serial Norma Hernandez 2019 Family Circle Ulla Martz Thomas and Lynn Hart Michael Wolfgang Gift of Life Donor Program Kate Kelly the transplant journey. Therapy dogs give the families an opportunity to kisser,’ Carmen,” says Debra, who comes by every few weeks. “She takes John and Jeannie Moretto Betsy Horen Douglas Woosnam Hospital Services Department Velma Scantlebury [GIFTS of $250+] David Schauber, Jr. them back to happier moments—making them laugh and smile at a time Marie and Donald Orlovsky Kathy Hughes in memory of forget the stressful parts of the transplant journey for a few moments. to support the annual fund ITALIC = upgraded member Ashley Tran Salvation Christian Center Kathryn Kiesel when they need that most.” BOLD = renewed member Richard Michael Payne Lisa Tull HONOR IN PLATINUM [$5,000+] Seer Interactive Franklin Lambert “I can see the guests relax when they start talking about their dogs Anonymous “Since many Family House guests are missing their own pets, Gem Robert Smith Dr. James Lee Due to space constraints, honor/memorial gifts and supporter gifts are no longer listed in the newsletter. or pets,” says Denise, who brings her golden retriever Livi to visit the Transplant Alliance Foundation, Inc. Jay and Pat Souder Michael Leppo Family House. “It’s nice to see them get respite from their daily routines.” provides the TLC that they hunger for, including little kisses,” Mary We apologize for any errors or omissions and ask that you contact us at 267-546-9812 to report any corrections. adds. “Gem will gladly accept belly rubs and always elicits laughter. CARE IN SILVER [$1,000+] Thomas and Kathleen Subranni Brenda Liberti Canon Solutions America, Inc. Robert G. Walsh, Sr. Albert Longstreth The Family House has a dedicated group of volunteers who bring their Interacting with Gem allows the guests to step away from the physical Doty Family Foundation Kathy Yandle and Rick Miller Candace Mackersie To make a contribution to dogs to spend time with our guests several times each year, many of who and emotional burdens they carry, even if it’s just for a short time. They Debra and Carl Fritz + Marguerite Marcinek Kevin P. Spiers Memorial Fund COMFORT IN COPPER [$250 ] have connections to organ donation and transplantation. have taken selfies with Gem, I’ve gladly snapped pictures of guests with Bill and Martha Anderson Ken and Kara McNulty Gift of Life Family House, Association Gem, and Gem has FaceTimed with relatives of a guest.” Janet Azzara Michael McVey please visit GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org or use Lauren’s Foundation “We are a donor family,” says Mary, whose son Eric signed up to be a donor James and Laurel Baggett Christine Melone Monica Malpass the enclosed envelope. at 16 years of age. She brings in her dog Gem, who is a mix of a sheep Not only are the volunteers happy to give back to the transplant community, Tibor and Bridget Baksy Joann and Joseph Mozelewski Estate of Glen Mohler Judy Mueller The official registration and financial information of Transplant House d/b/a Gift of Life Family House may be obtained dog and poodle. “Little did we know that a few years later, we would be but it’s apparent that their dogs do, too. Helene and James Breen from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does Daniel Pereda John Burke Joseph Murray not imply endorsement. honoring his wishes after he was declared brain dead due to injuries The Raymond Family Yip Chan David O‘Brian “Carmen loves the attention and loves going – her tail wags the entire Andrea and Sean Reynolds Lai Chun Wong Lesa Olson Livi Carmen time she is there!” Debra adds. “It’s a win-win situation all around.” Sam‘s Spirit Inc. Michael Collins Lori Perch Beatrice and Isobel Rubin Steven and Rhonda Cook Ellyn Phair Are you interested in bringing your therapy dog to visit our transplant Huseyin and Dianna Unver to our volunteers in the Costco Wholesale The Pla Family families at the Family House? Contact our social worker, Talia, at Walmart Facility #3252 Diane Ray thank you Creating Impact LLC Richard and Judy Yost community for coordinating fundraising events, [email protected]. Ellen Daly Betty and Thomas Ruocco GRACE IN BRONZE [$500+] Theresa Daly Richard and Anita Shaffer wish list drives, and online fundraisers to support The Caregiver Lifeline Program Anonymous Nancy Doble Shining Light Council #2 is supported in part by TD Charitable Foundation. We are thankful for Atlanta Commercial Tire Inc George Doty St. Mary‘s Healthcare System the mission of Gift of Life Family House. their partnership and generosity. Fundraising Events 10th Annual Bensalem Township Charity Challenge hosted by BEDC 11th Annual No Shower Happy Hour hosted by the David Nelson, Jr. Memorial Fund 15th Annual Jackson’s Mulligan on Life Golf Outing hosted by Hennion and Walsh and the Heller Family SCOTT AND VICKIE ARE LEAVING A LEGACY .. .Leave Yours Today Dress Down Day coordinated by First Heritage Federal Credit Union Dress Down Day coordinated by F.L. Smidth Dunk Tank Fundraiser hosted MTF Biologics Scott and Vickie Sayles support the Family House to celebrate the The Family House was in the Sayles’ will before they knew about Through one simple act—making a planned gift to the Family House— Family Reunion hosted by Debra Aumon life of their son Nicholas who tragically passed away in 2006 and the Legacy Society and joining was very easy to do. “They passed you can shape our future and ensure that your values live on. Golf Outing hosted by Bradley Ward Jefferson Heart Institute was an organ donor. us along some information and all we had to do was scan and send Employee Movie Night at SugarHouse Casino some documentation,” Vickie says. “It was so easy!” “We feel like we’re part of this great big family. This is Nick’s gift. Pie in the Face Fundraiser coordinated by Gallagher Benefit Services “I felt like that’s what we needed to do,” Vickie says. “It helped us It’s a remembrance and a celebration, not a memorial.” Smyrna High School Softball Fundraiser in memory of Coach Donnie Shaner start to see the light of life again.” Wine Tasting hosted by Christina Taraborelli For more information York Area Transplant Support Group They recently joined our Legacy Society for Planned Giving, making on making a planned Wish List Drives the Family House a beneficiary in their will. gift to the Family House please visit GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org Bernadette Nolen Lives Saving Lives Club of Polish Beneficial Association “We could see all the good that was coming from the Family House,” or call 267-546-9812. If you have already provided for the Family Maureen Brotyman The Lawrenceville School St. Lukes Hospital Monroe House in your will, or by another planned gift, please let us know Bruce Schleeweis NEPA MMA Stefon Zonia Vickie says. “It fills our hearts to do this and gives us focus, allowing Lionville Middle School Philadelphia Firefighters Tom Kohut us to celebrate Nick’s life.” so we can celebrate your generosity now! and Paramedics Union Ryan’s Shamrocks

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