Thankful From The Heart

When we started Restoring Hope Transplant House, we knew that it would be a place of refuge, affordability and community for transplant families. We had experienced all of that personally at Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, MN as a transplant family ourselves.

What truly moves me the most is that all of you who have passed through these doors have touched our lives in so many life-changing ways. Your vulnerability, honesty, tears, joy, hopefulness and even sorrow have made us dig deeper and built lasting bonds between us. Your shared journeys with us have shaped our lives and this house forever.

Each path through transplantation is so uniquely different even though so many of the procedures, meds, protocols and terminology are the same. You have taught us the value of being a good caregiver, the importance of being present and always available, the long-term benefits of being a compliant patient, how critical it is to be a good listener and just how far a good laugh or conversation can go towards creating a better day.

Amongst the many families we have hosted this year, was a transplant caregiver of almost 10 months. The vision for this house and the benefits that come with it were created with people like that in mind. Each of you matter so very much to me. Thank you for taking the leap of faith to stay here when there are so many other options. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for loving us back. In a world that is often torn apart by our challenges, we are so often better off in our journeys when we are here together. That means a lot to me!

We cannot properly celebrate all that we are thankful for without also giving thanks to all who so generously donate funds, supplies, household essentials, your talents and time, though fundraisers held in our honor and so many other ways that help to keep our doors open. You are the engine that drives the miracles and restores hope to so many. None of the faces, families and miracles featured in this newsletter would be possible without you being our foundational rocks. Thank you all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cindy Herbst

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Restoring Hope Transplant House