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VolunteerMeeting the Need of Transplant Families
Thousands of patients come to Philadelphia hospitals every year needing life-saving organ transplants. Many come from out of state or travel great distances. Family House is a refuge for patients and their families who are on this journey.
Videos
Welcoming Transplant Families
Video: Jackson's Mulligan on Life
Transplant Vigil: Diane Bottino's Story
Mike's Kidney Transplant Challenge
Every day family members and friends of adults and children awaiting transplants struggle with the unknown of when and if their loved one will receive a life-saving transplant. Complicating the transplant "vigil" is the fact that many family members struggle with emotional and physical burdens of camping out in hospital lobbies or family waiting areas day after day before, during and after transplant. Others are stressed by the financial realities of missed wages and lost work and often expensive hotels and other travel expenses.
While the region's hospitals provide extraordinary care for transplant patients, there is a critical gap in the level of supportive services provided to the families and caregivers of transplant patients.
When a person receives the diagnosis that they need an organ transplant, the whole family experiences sudden changes in their lives. Every member of the family is affected emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. The patient isn't the only member of the family involved.
Welcoming Transplant Families Home
Zoom+ Gift of Life Family House is under development at 4th and Callowhill Streets in Philadelphia.
Gift of Life Family House, a program by Gift of Life Donor Program, will ensure that the circle of care for the adult and pediatric transplant patient and their family is complete:
- Providing a comfortable, safe and affordable place to stay in Philadelphia
- Easing the financial burden of out-of-pocket expenses by offering a wide variety of complimentary services including meals, parking, etc.
- Creating a nurturing environment of care and support through Family House volunteers and staff
Family House is being built at 401-415 Callowhill Street one block from Gift of Life Donor Program's offices. Located in Old City Philadelphia with easy access to highways and the region's major hospitals, features of Gift of Life Family House will include:
- 30 guest rooms with private bath, sitting area, TV/cable
- Van transportation to and from area hospitals
- Well-stocked kitchen and pantry for healthy meals and snacks
- Library and Resource Learning Center, with meeting space for support groups
- Fitness Center and Laundry facilities
- Meditation Room
- Activity & Entertainment Areas
The Gift of Life Family House, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a program of the Gift of Life Donor Program, the region's nonprofit organ and tissue donor program. Celebrating 35 years, Gift of Life Donor Program has served as the link between patients awaiting transplants and those who donate. Since its founding in 1974, Gift of Life Donor Program has worked with the region's acute care hospitals and major transplant centers to coordinate more than 29,500 life-saving transplants. Gift of Life Donor Program serves the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware.
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