Nine years of a place to call home. Although the COVID-19 pandemic brought obstacles that interrupted some of our usual operations, it didn’t stand in the way of our commitment to providing transplant families with the affordable lodging, meals, and services they needed.

UPDaTeFALL 2020

GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org

continued on Family House page 2

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.

For the health and safety of our community, several changes were made in accordance with the local, state and federal guidelines and new procedures were implemented. We installed protective shields, updated signage, moved our living room furniture to create more socially distant dining space – and much more. We also postponed 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, amenities and services that are provided.”Lisa Coin in the Family House kitchen during her stay

9YEARS of supporting transplant families.

THE FAMILY HOUSEAND CELEBRATES

Our mission remains strong because of a community of people like you.

proves resilient

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, 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 talk and share our stories. I really wanted to be around others and it was so helpful for me.”

Rebecca found it comforting to have somewhere safe and welcoming to go during this time of stress and uncertainty.

2 3

WE ARE SO THANKFULfor a community that has stood with us for nine years, especially during this difficult time, ensuring transplant families will have an affordable place to call home in the midst of an incredibly challenging journey.

THANKS TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU, DURING THIS TIME WE RECEIVED:

❤Encouraging notes to pass along to the families staying with us

❤ Meal and gift card donations to support our Home Cook Heroes program

❤ Cloth face masks and special ear guards created to wear them more comfortably

❤ Hand sanitizer donations

❤ Pantry items

Our community also came together to celebrate special memories and moments from visits to the Family House on social media.

Thank you to all who made a financial gift, donated a gift card, meal or items for our pantry, attended one of our educational webinars, hosted a Facebook fundraiser, shared a social media post, or simply reached out to ask how we were doing!

Even though normal operations at the Family House looked different from years past, we were still able to come together and support what matters most—giving transplant families a place to call home.

Rebecca with her daughter Lexi after returning home from the Family House

TOP: Encouraging cards for Family House guests created by Youth Volunteer Corps of Greater Philadelphia; MIDDLE LEFT: Janet Dennis provided home-made masks to the Family House and also raised funds to support our mission; MIDDLE RIGHT: Ear guards do-nated by a family member of Home Cook Hero volunteer group, Ed’s Eyes were provided to the Family House to help alleviate some of the discomfort caused by wearing a protective face mask for long periods of time; BOTTOM: Hand sanitizer from La Salle University students and Kiki Vodka as part of the university’s entrepreneurship initiative. L-R: Pat O’Brien, Ethan Pecko, Sarah Donch, Joe Kauffman

Home Cook Heroes team photos are available to view on the Family House’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/GiftofLifeFamilyHouse. 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 of the Family House mission! Tag us and use #HomeCookHeroes for your chance to win a special gift from the Family House!

Abington-Jefferson ICUAddison’s AngelsAl’s PalsAndrews FamilyApril and RomanAssumption BVM Youth GroupAthelstan-Lamberton Masonic Lodge No. 482Barrilli FamilyBeth O’Brien GroupBlazers Ice HockeyBodine High SchoolBoyle FamilyBoyscout Troop 176Brett FamilyBright Hope Baptist Church WomenBryson FamilyButterflies INCCare CrewCarrie and FriendsCharles’s LegacyThe Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Business OpsCHOP – IS Service DeskCHOP Feeding TeamColumbus Forum Lodge #1492ComharCongregation M’Kor ShalomConnie McDermottCrozer Chester Medical CenterDavis FamilyDiane Meyer & FriendsDrexel University – Gamma Sigma SigmaEckenrode/ConnellyEd’s EyesEinstein MICUFamilyFirst Judicial DistrictFour Ladies & FriendsFranklin Towne Charter High SchoolFurther Her in ActionGamma Iota Sigma, Sigma ChapterGamma Sigma Sigma Gemini Alumni ChapterGirls Scout Troop #30140Give Moore LifeGLDP Hospital ServicesGLDP Transplant CoordinatorsGood Shepherd Penn PartnersGrant ThorntonHearts of Gold

Hills FamilyHogan’s HeroesHoly Ghost Preparatory SchoolHome2 Suites by HiltonHomerun BakersH-Town HelpersHUP MICUHUP Silverstein 11 NursesIDDPMI RAMIndependence Blue Cross, Blue CrewInspira Mullica Hill ICUJanice Schwartz-Donahue & FamilyJanssen Inc. BRQC GroupJefferson Bucks 2 NorthJefferson Center City Medical ICUJefferson City Medical ICUJefferson Health – Northeast, FrankfordJefferson Hosp. Center City Medical ICUJefferson MarketingJefferson Northeast Nurse EducatorsJefferson Perioperative StaffJHN NICUKinkade/CollinsKirby FamilyKnights of Columbus Council 11013KPMGLa Famiglia Dei FratelliLancaster-Lebanon IU13Lankaneu Hospital – Data Quality and Outcomes Laura and FriendsMarion Luckers Kidney FoundationMcDermott FamilyMTF BiologicsMTF Quality Assurance TeamMu Beta Phi Military Fraternity Inc.Nanticoke HospitalNational Disease Research InterchangeNCL – Valley Forge ChapterNever Ending EmotionsNew Vision PioneersNewChurch LIVEOrgan Recovery SystemsPA Masons (Lodge #751)ParzivalPat and Peters PalsPatrice Green Pat’s WingsPatsy’s ShamRocksPattinson FamilyPatty’s Pose

Pedrick Family Peggy’s PeepsPenn Medicine Chester County ER NursesPenn Presby Neuro NursesPenney Girls FoundationPhiladelphia Chapter of the Association of Legal AdministratorsPhiladelphia Chapter USPCAPoplawski Family Pretty Bee’sPrism Student – PN 38Randon FamilyRecycledman Cooks Rich & Christy O’MalleyRivers of LoveRugters GangSalvation Army DDPSatyra, Charles, and Friends!SEPA AmbassadorsSightLifeSonesta Hotel PhiladelphiaSparc ServicesSPN Girls St. Augustine ParishSurgical ICU Einstein Medical CenterTeam EvieTeam Kellie Team SayLessTeam SpiersTeample Heart & Vascular PFACTemple Transplant TeamThe BellevueThe Eckerle FamilyThe Pedrick FamilyThe Saturday Club KidsTierneyTJUH – 7 WestToni Newman & FriendsUNICOUniversity City KiwanisUVA Club of PhiladelphiaWaldron/Mancini FamiliesWSFS BankYouth Volunteer Corps

BOLD = Home Cook Hero All Star All-Stars are committed volunteer groups who provide a meal to Family House guests through the Home Cook Heroes program at least 12 times in a calendar year.

HOME COOKAlthough in-house volunteer opportunities were postponed during the pandemic, many groups still supported the House through meal drop offs and financial and gift card donations to ensure our guests had a meal each evening.

Heroes Recycledman Cooks

Butterflies, Inc.

Further Her In Action

Marion Luckers Kidney Foundation

The Randon Family

Recognizing Home Cook Heroes Volunteers

January – May 2020

Caregiver Lifeline

Spotlight

Skin cancer occurs in one out of every five people,1 but solid organ transplant recipients are at a higher risk than the general population. Skin cancer is the most common cancer after transplant,2 affecting up to 70% of patients.3 Fortunately, this condition is potentially preventable and easily treated when caught early. The best ways to protect yourself are to understand your risks and follow practices to prevent the development and progression of skin cancer.

Transplant patients are at increased risk for skin cancer because immunosuppressive medications which are necessary for the health of transplanted organs to decrease the body’s defenses against skin cancer. The longer recipients are taking immunosuppressive medications and the higher the dose, the more likely skin cancer is to develop.2,4 It is important to recognize that skin cancer also occurs at much younger ages in transplant recipients. Skin cancer usually begin to develop five to seven years after a transplant, but may develop sooner in older patients2 or in patients who have had a skin cancer prior to transplant.5 Not all transplant recipients are affected equally. Heart transplant recipients, followed by kidney recipients, are the most likely to develop skin cancer.4

The three main types of skin cancer are: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in the transplant population and is 65- times more likely to occur in transplant recipients than in the general population.6 Squamous cell carcinomas appear as small pink spots with a scaly surface and usually develop on areas exposed to sunlight, such as the head, neck, and hands. Basal cell carcinomas frequently occur in similar locations, but look like shiny pink bumps or patches. Melanoma is the least common, but deadliest, form of skin cancer and usually appears

Skin Cancer after Transplant: What to Know and How to Protect Yourself

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The Caregiver Lifeline Program is supported in part by TD Charitable Foundation and Bridge to Life. We are thankful for their partnership and generosity.

by Leora Aizman, BS and Thuzar M. Shin, MDUniversity of Pennsylvania High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic for Organ Transplant Patients

as an irregularly-shaped brown spot or changing mole, often on the back or legs. All three types of skin cancers are curable if caught early, but may cause extensive local destruction and even death if left untreated. 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 defense. The first principle of skin protection is to avoid sun exposure and commercial tanning booths. Additional steps to minimize sun exposure include seeking shade, staying indoors during the hours of peak sunlight (10am-4pm), wearing sun-protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts and pants, broad-brimmed hats, sunglasses), and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin (which needs to be re-applied every 2 hours, sooner if you swim or sweat excessively). Monthly self-skin exams may help detect any new or changing growths or moles. This may be done by using a mirror to examine all parts of your body, including the palms, soles, and genitalia. In addition to self-skin exams, experts recommend a full-body skin examination with a board-certified dermatologist at least once a year.7 For very high-risk patients, even more frequent follow up with a dermatologist may be crucial to detecting and treating skin cancers early.

There are a variety of methods to treat skin cancer, including creams, scraping, and freezing for early cancers. More advanced cancers may require surgical removal. Mohs micrographic surgery is a special surgical procedure that removes skin cancer in layers, to preserve normal skin. For both treatment and prevention, skin care management should involve a close partnership between the patient and their transplant doctor and dermatologist.

References1. Stern RS. Prevalence of a history of skin cancer in 2007: results of an incidence-based model. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146(3):279-282.2. Mittal A, Colegio OR. Skin Cancers in Organ Transplant Recipients. Am J Transplant. 2017;17(10):2509-2530.3. Bangash HK, Colegio OR. Management of non-melanoma skin cancer in immuno- compromised solid organ transplant recipients. Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2012;1 3(3):354-376.4. O’Reilly Zwald F, Brown M. Skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients: advances in therapy and management: part I. Epidemiology of skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(2):253-261.5. 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):296-303.6. Perez HC, Benavides X, Perez JS, et al. Basic aspects of the pathogenesis and prevention of non-melanoma skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients: a review. Int J Dermatol. 2017;56(4):370-378.7. Crow LD, Jambusaria-Pahlajani A, Chung CL, et al. Initial skin cancer screening for solid organ transplant recipients in the United States: Delphi method development of expert consensus guidelines. Transpl Int. 2019;32(12):1268-1276.

A room, a gift, a year…all to help hundreds.

Earlier this year, we launched our new Sponsor-A-Room Program to provide another way for our community to support our mission.

With the sponsorship of a guest room or common room at the Family House, you can help hundreds of families who come through our doors in search of a place full of hope and support along the transplant journey.

Your generosity to sponsor a room will support families by keeping our nightly fee low and covering costs for families who cannot afford it.

Rooms may be sponsored for up to 3 years at a time with a tax-deductible gift.

LIVING ROOM GUEST ROOM

KITCHEN DINING ROOM

1 year 2 years 3 years

Guest Room $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 Common Room $10,000 $20,000 $30,000

“I never know when my phone rings – could this be the call I’ve been waiting for?” said Sarah. “At the Family House, I found comfort in being able to talk with others and share stories with those who really understand, and in just how welcoming everyone was. They made myself and Zachary feel extremely comfortable and those who were able to meet Zachary know that he really did become super comfortable there. It really just helped make our stay in Philadelphia that much easier.”

Howard M. Nathan, Founder and President, also gave an update on organ and tissue donation during the pandemic and took time to answer questions from the audience.

“Donation went down about 20% during this time period, but things are looking better and we are starting to recover,” said Howard during the webinar. “To answer one of the questions that usually comes up, a patient who tests positive for COVID at this point in time cannot be an organ or a tissue donor because of the fear of spreading that to a recipient.”

In May, we held a special webinar, “Live from the Family House: Update and Q&A,” to share what’s been happening at our home away from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jan L. Weinstock, Vice President, Administration and General Counsel gave an update on Family House operations, volunteer programs, and some new construction projects—including our two new guest rooms and 4th floor community meeting space, as well as new safety features at the House. She also shared several ways the community can support the Family House mission from home.

“The Family House is open and serving families,” said Jan. “Based on the environment we are in, there are a limited number of families at the House than we’ve served historically, but we are expecting that number to increase. Of course, we are monitoring and adhering to all of the local and state guidelines, we have updated our guest referral process to include screening for COVID-related issues, and are practicing social distancing.”

Past Family House guest, Sarah Reesey, whose 4-year-old son Zach is awaiting a life-saving heart transplant, also joined to share her experience at the Family House and what it’s been like waiting for her son’s transplant during this time.

Live from the Family House Update and Q&A

Sarah Reesey and Zach

By sponsoring a guest or common room at the Family House through our Sponsor-A-Room program, we will proudly display your support for our mission with a sign next to your room during the sponsorship period.

Sponsor-A-Room

Missed the event? No problem! Watch a recording of the event on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.

Special thank you to our first room sponsors, Scott and Vickie Sayles!

Our social work team has been hard at work ensuring transplant patients and their families have access to supportive resources during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Together with support of our community partners, they hosted several complimentary webinars on topics including: • Exploring Survivor’s Guilt • Transplant Fundraising• Communicating with Your Donor Family• Skin Cancer After Transplant and many more.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to our friends at CareDX, Help Hope Live, Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, Pond Lehockey, Temple Health TRIO, and UNOS for supporting the creation of these important resources and helping to spread the word!

Find these webinars on our Facebook page at

Facebook.com/GiftofLifeFamilyHouse or on GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org under ‘Caregiver Support.’

Webinars

Support for Transplant Patients and their Families

Contributions of $250 or more received between JANUARY – MAY 2020

7

Founders’ Circle[GIFTS OF $10,000+] New members who have made gifts of $10,000 or moreCornerstone Advisors Asset Management, LLC Grundy Senators Ice Hockey ClubCurrent members who have made gifts of $10,000 or moreJean and Sam JonesWSFS Foundation

2020 Family Circle[GIFTS of $250+] to support the annual fund

HONOR IN PLATINUM [$5,000+]Scott and Vickie Sayles

HOPE IN GOLD [$2,500+]Yale and Sherme DoftmanGerry Lenfest Legacy FundHoward and Liz Nathan

CARE IN SILVER [$1,000+]Larry and Diane BeardRichard and Betty BeltzGeorge CallasLauren’s FoundationKatie and Tess GeibJean and Sam JonesKrysta Hankee Memorial Scholarship FundLuanne and William KweltySam’s Spirit FoundationJohn and Brenda ScanelliAnita SgrignoliThe Prince of Piedmont SocietyZwingli United Church of Christ

GRACE IN BRONZE [$500+]Kelly and Andy AlbrightMartha and Bill AndersonJudith AzarowBank of America FoundationCatie and Lexi BeckerMargaret BelfieldDebjani and Satya BhoumikBrunetti Pizza, Inc.Marian BuccafurniJim and Karen CarnsComcast CorporationCorazon a Corazon NYKaren DuniganEdie EganVictor FigueroaDebra and Carl FritzEd and Marta Galarza

Ruth and Nick GrigoriadesAlicia Hoover and David MurphyRebecca HornIndependence Blue CrossKnights of Columbus – Father McCafferty Council #11013La Famiglia Dei FratelliJohn and Sharon ManzMarion Prochazka Charitable Remainder TrustMerck FoundationJohn and Eleanor MicheleMission Kristie CaresDarryl PriceAndrea and Sean ReynoldsRobin and Fred Robbins Donald and Ethel SheperdJay and Pat SouderSt. Augustine Roman Catholic ChurchSt. John’s Episcopal Church, CompassTemple University Health SystemNancy TindallToday's Dance Company Parent’s GroupBarbara W. and Barry W. VanRensler, Esq.Anthony and Barbara Viscardi

COMFORT IN COPPER [$250+]AnonymousCharles AulettaBaker Hostetler, LLP.Richard BardzikJulie BaumgardnerEugene and Patricia BlumWilliam and Angelina BriggsPaul BrownDiana BrownMelvin and Lynne CherryNeil CitroneWilliam and Marilyn CodyChris and Sharon CrookerCatherine DaltonStephen and Priscilla DemoskyKelly DesiderioJames DonohueAllen and Carol DruckerJim DunleavyRichard DwyerExelon CorporationMichael FaruoloJohn and Cornelia FruncilloStaci GawneJanet GehrigValerie GioiaGrey Nuns of the Sacred HeartDr. and Mrs. Mehdi and Christine Haririan

Thomas and Lynn HartDwendy Johnson and FamilyJared KalishTerri KaneConnie KernKevin P. Spiers Memorial Fund AssociationScott KingsleyPepper and Mike KrachNancy LarkinsMary Kiernan and Bill LeeMarguerite MarcinekMarion Luckers Kidney FoundationAimee MasinoFrancesca McBrideChristine and Thomas McGarryCaitlin McMahonEmily MettinDiane MeyerJoann and Joseph MozelewskiMTF BiologicsJudy MuellerLinda MullerPatricia MulliganCatherine NastaScott Noye and FamilyDavid O’BrianMaryellen and Walt PagetLauren PantaloneCindi and Vincent PasceriRuth PeacheyTimothy PetersenPhiladelphia Hand to Shoulder CenterJoette and Anthony PompeoBarbara PrestianneMary Jane RaymondSean Rhoads and Keri FisherLonny RossmanDavid SamselMichael SantucciJanice Schwartz-DonahueRichard and Anita ShafferTemple Inn of CourtChristine TierneySteve TownsendLinda VillaniJohn and T. Robin VisconiRobert G. Walsh, Sr.Jan L. Weinstock, Esq.Kevin and Mary WiedelKrystine and Marion WiktorowiczDenise Wurst

ITALIC = upgraded memberBOLD = renewed member

thank you

Doug Wright Memorial Golf OutingReading Royals Fundraiser in memory of Brad ZunskiHighmark Walk coordinated by Jim and Karen Carns

Fundraising Events

Wish List Drives

Catie BeckerBen Porat Yosef Yeshiuah Day SchoolCape IvyChildren’s Hospital of Philadelphia Respiratory DepartmentCitizens BankSteven DadaianGinneh EarleGift of Life Donor Program – Transplant CoordinatorsPaul HessJefferson HealthKnights of Columbus – Father McCafferty Council #11013

Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13James MusumeciDustin MyersKathy NearyNew Gethsemane Baptist ChurchBrittney PinsonRoxborough Memorial HospitalDavid SimonSuburban Community HospitalTemple University HospitalThomas Jefferson University Hospital SICUTravis WhitsonTrinity Lutheran Church

to our volunteers in the community for coordinating fundraisers and donating wish list items to support the mission of Gift of Life Family House.

Visit GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org to pledge now. We look forward to celebrating with you.

BESTB RTHDAYYET

Make this your

home by pledging your birthday to support the Family House.

Through our “Best Birthday Yet” program, you can celebrate your birthday by hosting an online fundraiser for the Family House. Instead of a gift, ask your friends and family to support your fundraiser!

It’s really easy! Pledge your birthday today and we’ll send you a reminder as your special day gets closer to set up your fundraising page. We’ll also send you some tips to help you make your fundraiser a success!

Help provide a place for transplant families to call

Thank You to our generouscommunity

Together we are giving transplant families hope and a special place to call home.

We apologize for any errors or omissions and ask that you contact us at 267-546-9812 to report any corrections.

Due to space constraints, honor/memorial gifts and supporter gifts are no longer listed in the newsletter.

Susan Bonner in honor of Daniel BonnerPhilomena Cuthbert in honor of Sam CuthbertAlicia Hoover in memory of Edward W HooverThe Patients and Caregivers of HUP Lung Transplant Support Group in memory of Steve GradijanJennifer Riddick in memory of Brian Fleagle

6

More recently, they found another way to help by sending a generous donation of hand sanitizer!

“Partnering with Gift of Life Family House has been so rewarding to us, and years later our team still counts down the days until we can visit with and cook for recipients and their families,” says Kayla Andalina, Marketing Manager.

ORS was founded on a passion to help improve patient outcomes in transplantation and honor the gift of life. Their support of the Family House helps provide transplant patients and their family members with a place to call home while far from their own. We are so thankful for their partnership and look forward to serving transplant families with them in the future!

SUPPORTERSPOTLIGHT:

Since we opened our doors, Organ Recovery Systems (ORS) has been a proud supporter of the Family House and has helped us care for transplant families in many ways!

“Supporting the transplant community is something I personally take to heart, and Gift of Life Family House goes above and beyond by offering a comfortable and intimate residence for transplant patients and their families,” says Matthew Copithorne, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at ORS.

In 2011, ORS made a generous financial commitment to our mission by underwriting our kitchen – a capital campaign gift that helped us welcome transplant families home. Since then, many of their staff members have volunteered in our Home Cook Heroes Program to prepare home-cooked meals for our guests. ORS also generously supports our annual Kidney Open Golf Outing, which raises funds for our Adopt-A-Family Program.

Organ Recovery Systems (ORS)

Team members from Organ Recovery Systems volunteering in the Family House kitchen

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.

To make a contribution to Gift of Life Family House, please visit GiftofLifeFamilyHouse.org or use the enclosed envelope.

Viola and Theodore BrooksJim and Karen CarnsWinnie Cooper

Lila CrewsMarilyn EsnesFrederick and Judith Neagul

NEW Members

Heart Members

The Legacy Garden Paver ProgramThank you to those who dedicated an engraved paver

Recognizing monthly contributors who donate $21 or more per month

Anita NealonDarlene SweitzerTheresa Sykes